Blunt, in his professional excitement, 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 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, if you like, and take a volunteer or two from those grey jackets of yours amidships.