They looked again, the tiny spark still burned, and immediately over itthere grew out of the darkness a crimson spot, that hung like a luridstar in the air. The soldiers and sailors on the forecastle had seenit also, and in a moment the whole vessel was astir. Mrs. Vickers, withlittle Sylvia clinging to her dress, came up to share the new sensation;and at the sight of her mistress, the modest maid withdrew discreetlyfrom Frere's side. Not that there was any need to do so; no one heededher. Blunt, in his professional excitement, had already forgotten herpresence, and Frere was in earnest conversation with Vickers.
"Take a boat?" said that gentleman. "Certainly, my dear Frere, by allmeans. That is to say, if the captain does not object, and it is notcontrary to the Regulations."
"Captain, you'll lower a boat, eh? We may save some of the poordevils," cries Frere, his heartiness of body reviving at the prospect ofexcitement.
"Boat!" said Blunt, "why, she's twelve miles off and more, and there'snot a breath o' wind!"
"But we can't let 'em roast like chestnuts!" cried the other, as theglow in the sky broadened and became more intense.
"What is the good of a boat?" said Pine. "The long-boat only holdsthirty men, and that's a big ship yonder."
"Well, take two boats--three boats! By Heaven, you'll never let 'em burnalive without stirring a finger to save 'em!"
"They've got their own boats," says Blunt, whose coolness was in strongcontrast to the young officer's impetuosity; "and if the fire gains,they'll take to 'em, you may depend. In the meantime, we'll show 'emthat there's someone near 'em." And as he spoke, a blue light flaredhissing into the night.
"There, they'll see that, I expect!" he said, as the ghastly flame rose,extinguishing the stars for a moment, only to let them appear againbrighter in a darker heaven.
"Mr. Best--lower and man the quarter-boats! Mr. Frere--you can go inone, if you like, and take a volunteer or two from those grey jacketsof yours amidships. I shall want as many hands as I can spare to man thelong-boat and cutter, in case we want 'em. Steady there, lads! Easy!"and as the first eight men who could reach the deck parted to thelarboard and starboard quarter-boats, Frere ran down on the main-deck.
Mrs. Vickers, of course, was in the way, and gave a genteel scream asBlunt rudely pushed past her with a scarce-muttered apology; but hermaid was standing erect and motionless, by the quarter-railing, and asthe captain paused for a moment to look round him, he saw her dark eyesfixed on him admiringly. He was, as he said, over forty-two, burlyand grey-haired, but he blushed like a girl under her approving gaze.Nevertheless, he said only, "That wench is a trump!" and swore a little.
Meanwhile Maurice Frere had passed the sentry and leapt down into the'tween decks. At his nod, the prison door was thrown open. The air washot, and that strange, horrible odour peculiar to closely-packed humanbodies filled the place. It was like coming into a full stable.
He ran his eye down the double tier of bunks which lined the side of theship, and stopped at the one opposite him.
There seemed to have been some disturbance there lately, for instead ofthe six pair of feet which should have protruded therefrom, the gleam ofthe bull's-eye showed but four.
"What's the matter here, sentry?" he asked.
"Prisoner ill, sir. Doctor sent him to hospital."
"But there should be two."
The other came from behind the break of the berths. It was Rufus Dawes.He held by the side as he came, and saluted.
"I felt sick, sir, and was trying to get the scuttle open."
The heads were all raised along the silent line, and eyes and ears wereeager to see and listen. The double tier of bunks looked terribly like arow of wild beast cages at that moment.
Maurice Frere stamped his foot indignantly.
"Sick! What are you sick about, you malingering dog? I'll give yousomething to sweat the sickness out of you. Stand on one side here!"
Rufus Dawes, wondering, obeyed. He seemed heavy and dejected, and passedhis hand across his forehead, as though he would rub away a pain there.
"Which of you fellows can handle an oar?" Frere went on. "There, curseyou, I don't want fifty! Three'll do. Come on now, make haste!"
The heavy door clashed again, and in another instant the four"volunteers" were on deck. The crimson glow was turning yellow now, andspreading over the sky.
"Two in each boat!" cries Blunt. "I'll burn a blue light every hour foryou, Mr. Best; and take care they don't swamp you. Lower away, lads!" Asthe second prisoner took the oar of Frere's boat, he uttered a groan andfell forward, recovering himself instantly. Sarah Purfoy, leaning overthe side, saw the occurrence.
"What is the matter with that man?" she said. "Is he ill?"
Pine was next to her, and looked out instantly. "It's that big fellow inNo. 10," he cried. "Here, Frere!"
But Frere heard him not. He was intent on the beacon that gleamed everbrighter in the distance. "Give way, my lads!" he shouted. And amid acheer from the ship, the two boats shot out of the bright circle of theblue light, and disappeared into the darkness.
Sarah Purfoy looked at Pine for an explanation, but he turned abruptlyaway. For a moment the girl paused, as if in doubt; and then, ere hisretreating figure turned to retrace its steps, she cast a quick glancearound, and slipping down the ladder, made her way to the 'tween decks.
The iron-studded oak barricade that, loop-holed for musketry, andperforated with plated trapdoor for sterner needs, separated soldiersfrom prisoners, was close to her left hand, and the sentry at itspadlocked door looked at her inquiringly. She laid her little hand onhis big rough one--a sentry is but mortal--and opened her brown eyes athim.
"The hospital," she said. "The doctor sent me"; and before he couldanswer, her white figure vanished down the hatch, and passed round thebulkhead, behind which lay the sick man.
CHAPTER IV. THE HOSPITAL.