"Best saw something like it before dinner. There must be thunder in the air."

At that instant a thin streak of light shot up and then sank again.
There was no mistaking it this time, and a simultaneous exclamation
burst from all on deck. From out the gloom which hung over the horizon
rose a column of flame that lighted up the night for an instant,
and then sunk, leaving a dull red spark upon the water.

"It's a ship on fire," cried Frere.




CHAPTER III.

THE MONOTONY BREAKS.



They looked again, the tiny spark still burned, and immediately 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 excitement, had already
forgotten her presence, and Frere was in earnest conversation with Vickers.