I went to see what they was growling at, and 'twas so hot down there it made my head swim.
There wasn't any flame nor any smoke, but there was a powerful smell of burning, and I'm afraid there's fire in the cargo." Without a word Captain May went forward and down into the forecastle, the men respectfully making way for him to pass.

In less than a minute he came up, bathed in perspiration, and turning to the crew, said, "My men, there's no doubt but that this ship is on fire.

It's in among the cotton; but if we can keep it smothered a while longer, I think, with this breeze, we can make our port before it breaks out.

I want you to keep cool and steady, and remember there's no danger, for we can make land any time in the boats if worse comes to worse.

Mr.Gibbs, have the men get their dunnage up out of the forecastle, and then close the hatch and batten it." Going aft, the captain found his passengers on deck waiting anxiously to learn the cause of the commotion they had already noticed.