Drawing a flint and steel from his pocket, he proceeded to strike a light.

This was procured in a few seconds; and as the match flared up in his face, it revealed the workings of a countenance in which all the strongest and worst passions of human nature had stamped deep and terrible lines.
The pirate had taken the utmost care, by arranging an old sail over the spot, to prevent the reflection of the light being seen.

It revealed a large mass of oakum and tar.

Into the heart of this he thrust the match, and instantly glided away, as he had come, stealthily and without noise.
For a few seconds the fire smoldered: for the sail that covered it kept it down, as well as hid it from view.

But such combustible material could not be smothered long.