Page 42 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

CHAPTER III. THE

MONOTONY BREAKS.

hey looked again, the tiny spark still burned, and imme-
Tdiately over it there grew out of the darkness a crimson
spot, that hung like a lurid star in the air. The soldiers and
sailors on the forecastle had seen it also, and in a moment
the whole vessel was astir. Mrs. Vickers, with little Sylvia
clinging to her dress, came up to share the new sensation;
and at the sight of her mistress, the modest maid withdrew
discreetly from Frere’s side. Not that there was any need to
do so; no one heeded her. Blunt, in his professional excite-
ment, had already forgotten her presence, and Frere was in
earnest conversation with Vickers.
‘Take a boat?’ said that gentleman. ‘Certainly, my dear
Frere, by all means. That is to say, if the captain does not ob-
ject, and it is not contrary to the Regulations.’
‘Captain, you’ll lower a boat, eh? We may save some of
the poor devils,’ cries Frere, his heartiness of body reviving
at the prospect of excitement.
‘Boat!’ said Blunt, ‘why, she’s twelve miles off and more,
and there’s not a breath o’ wind!’
‘But we can’t let ‘em roast like chestnuts!’ cried the other,
as the glow in the sky broadened and became more intense.
‘What is the good of a boat?’ said Pine. ‘The long-boat

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