Eager as the men had been to come, they were more eager to depart.

The flames had even now reached the poop; in a few minutes it would be too late.

For ten minutes or more not a word was spoken.

With straining arms and labouring chests, the rowers tugged at the oars, their eyes fixed on the lurid mass they were leaving.

Frere and Best, with their faces turned back to the terror they fled from, urged the men to greater efforts.