They meant her to burn when she was in the open sea--when the spark they set in the turf should have had time to grow to flame, and fire the brushwood.

Look at those two tar barrels set handy." "Aye," I said, for all this had been growing on me.

"They meant her to run far from shore before her rigging went.

That is why the halliards have been brought aft, out of the way of the flame." "And why the sail was wet," said Dalfin.

"And maybe why we are not chased." "It comes into my mind," said Bertric slowly, "that there has been pestilence on board, and that they would rid themselves of it." But I hardly noted what he said.