CHAPTER XV.
THE SEA GIVES UP.
The pumps were going, in an attempt to flood the hold, but the men did not attempt to fight the fire in anything like a reasonable manner.
The knowledge of the cargo down there in the hold turned them to cowards and unreasoning beings.

They were expecting to be blown skyward at any moment.
Of a sudden the engines stopped and the "Eagle" began to lose headway.
Men were making preparations to lower the boats.
"Well, I'll be hanged if they are not going to abandon the ship!" exclaimed Frank.

"The case must be pretty bad.

I wonder how the fire started ?" "I set it!" At his feet was Harris, whom he had just rescued from the hell below, and the fellow had declared that he set the fire! "You ?" "Yes," said the wretch.

"I was crazy.