d Alick, with perfect gravity.
"I confess that we always call him `Billy' in the berth, but on duty we
address him with due respect as `Lieutenant Blewitt'; the other
lieutenants, however, always speak of him as `Billy Blueblazes,' and he
likes the name, he has got so accustomed to it."

Meantime, as far as could be ascertained by those in the boat, the fire
continued burning on board the ship. Sparks were seen occasionally
rising above the deck, and Alick now began to entertain serious
apprehensions that the ship would be destroyed. Some of her crew might
escape in the boats, but he was very sure that the officers would be the
last to leave her, and that it would be impossible to construct rafts to
convey them all. He had been ready up to this time to joke and even to
laugh. He now became very serious. The fire might reach to the
magazine, though he felt sure that Captain Rogers would order it to be
drowned or the powder to be thrown overboard, if such could be done.

Meantime Jack and those under his command were making every effort which
men could make to extinguish the fire. It was discovered to have
originated in the after bunkers, and that the flames had got hold of
some of the wood-work. By persevering efforts they having been
extinguished, Tom, covering up his head with a piece of wet blanket,
followed by Jerry Bird and a gallant party of seamen similarly
protected, made their way, buckets in hand, to the very seat of the
fire.

Again and again they were driven back, and Jerry, stout-hearted as he
was, was hoisted senseless on deck, overcome by the smoke; two others
suffering in the same manner, Tom and the rest persevering. He was
ready to perish rather than allow Jack's ship to be destroyed. More
volunteers were called for. At length, by their united efforts, as one
party being overcome, another taking their place, the fire was got
under, when the bunk being cooled by water, the coals were scraped out.

By this time the sun was just rising above the horizon, casting a bright
glare on the ship, as she slowly moved over the calm water. Jack and
all the naval and military officers were still on deck, many of them
with their faces and hands blackened, as well as their clothing, by the
smoke, while the ship herself presented far from her usual trim
appearance. The boat was hauled alongside. The first to appear was the
major, still wearing his blanket, which he had forgotten to throw aside,
and not