Another gang of men were set to work, forward of the mast and, after half an hour's labour, the stores were so far removed that the hose could be brought to play upon the burning mass at the foot of the mast.
The lieutenant had been relieved by Harry, and he by the two midshipmen, in succession.

Changes were frequent and, in another quarter of an hour, it was evident that the flames were well under control.

The men engaged below relieved those at the pumps and, in an hour from the first outbreak, all danger was over, though pumping was kept up for some time longer.
The captain made frequent visits to the deck.

The vessel was still running before the wind, and the sea had got up.

The motion of the ship was becoming more and more violent but, as there was nothing to be done, the men below were not disturbed at their work, and this was continued until smoke no longer ascended..