"Take a boat?" said that gentleman. "Certainly, my dear Frere, by all means.
That is to say, if the captain does not object, 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 only holds thirty men,
and that's a big ship yonder."

"Well, take two boats--three boats! By Heaven, you'll never let 'em
burn alive without stirring a finger to save 'em!"

"They've got their own boats," says Blunt, whose coolness was
in strong contrast to the young officer's impetuosity; "and if the fire gains,
they'll take to 'em, you may depend. In the meantime, we'll show 'em
that there's someone near 'em." And as he spoke, a blue light
flared hissing into the night.

"There, they'll see that, I expect!" he said, as the ghastly flame rose,
extinguishing the stars for a moment, only to let them appear again
brighter in a darker heaven.

"Mr. Best--lower and man the quarter-boats! Mr. Frere--you can go in one,