its size, very inconspicuous. I am tolerably used to observing insects, and yet I have more than once been startled by seeing a large Red Underwing take flight from a willow-tree on which it had been resting, and it was so similar in colour to the bark that I had not noticed it. The Yellow Underwing, however, does not belong scientifically to the same group as the Red Underwing. It is one of the commonest of our moths, the caterpillar feeding on the stems of nearly all our garden plants, the lettuce seeming to be its chief favourite. Plenty of these caterpillars are found by the gardener when pulling up lettuces for the table. They are very variable in colour, but generally some shade of brown or green, and have stripes and broken dark lines along the body. They invariably curl themselves round when disturbed, and make no attempt at escape.

The colours of the perfect insect are also variable, but the upper wings are generally of a warm brown, diversified with markings like those of the illustration. As its popular name imports, the under wings are yellow and the bold band is black.

November is not a pleasant month for entomologists, but it has its gleams of sunshine, and among them is the very common moth called the NOVEMBER MOTн (Oporabia dilutata), shown at Fig. 12.

There are several moths which appear in the winter time, some of which, especially that which is called par excellence the Winter Moth, are notable for the undeveloped wings of the female. In the November Moth, however, the wings are of full size in both sexes.

It is so variable in colour that six or seven different names have been given to it. Generally, however, the upper wings are blackish grey, traversed with darker and paler zigzag lines, while the under wings are much paler, and have only a few zigzag lines running parallel with the hinder edge.

TREADING WATER, as it is called, is often required, is very easy to learn, and needs but little practice. The term is an utterly absurd one, as it implies a sort of going-upstairs movement.

Treading water is in reality nothing but the ordinary swimming stroke made with the legs alone, the body being upright, and the hands and arms kept motionless. It is good practice to hold both arms out of the water, raise them above the head, and carry a weight in both hands, increasing the weight by degrees.

I mention treading water as a preliminary to water-games, because it is often useful; and one game, i.e., Leap-frog, cannot be played unless the swimmers are adepts at treading water. DIVING FROM THE SURFACE is anything but easy, especially when the diver tries to fetch an object from the bottom, but it ought to be practised by every one who aspires to the title of swimmer.

The difficulty lies in getting the whole of the body under the water, the feet having always a tendency to remain above the surface and kick about futilely in the air. This is the best way of diving from the surface.

First, tread water, having your hands laid flat on the surface. Try a few preliminary strokes with the legs, so as to ensure your balance, and then, with a powerful stroke with the legs, and a sweep downwards with the hands, spring out of the water as far as you can, bring your hands over your head, and curl yourself into the water head downwards, as in the stooping header.

Fling your feet in the air as high as you can, and the weight of the legs, together with a stroke upwards of the hands, will bring the feet well under the water. It is seldom that the diver can manage to force himself into the water sufficiently to avoid showing his feet at the first stroke of the legs, but he ought not to show his feet, nor even raise a splash, more than once. In this mode of diving you must take the diving with a header from the bank you can correct an overshoot by a quick bend of the body. But in diving from the surface there is scarcely any initial impetus, and a mistake in direction has to be corrected by an expenditure of main force which materially lessens the period of stay below the surface.

This moth is a near relative of the Cabbage Moth, to which reference has already been made when treating of the large White Butterfly.

Lastly, the little insect which occupies the centre of the plate (Fig. 14) is one of the CLOTHES MOTHS. There are several species of Clothes Moth, all of which are celebrated for their destructiveness among woollen stuffs, fur, and feathers. I need hardly say that the moths themselves do no harm, inasmuch as they are physically incapable of eating. The real damage is done by the larvae or caterpillars, which feed on part of the animal fibres, and with the same materials construct most ingenious habitations in which they can shelter themselves from enemies, and which are portable, so that the caterpillar carries its house with it wherever it goes. Much that is interesting might be said of these moths, but our space has come to an end, and we must bid them farewell. I need hardly say that the figure of the Clothes Moth is much magnified

Here I may parenthetically remark that the best diving objects are the white barrel-shaped china anchovy pots which are to be seen at the grocers' shops. They are very strong, so that they are not easily broken; very heavy, so that they sink rapidly without being carried far by the stream. and so white and shining that they are very conspicuous.

Let nothing tempt you to persevere in reach ing the bottom if you feel the least indication of needing breath. Even should your hand be within a foot of the object for which you are diving, abandon it, reverse your position, and with both legs and arms force yourself to the surface with all your strength.

There is nothing more terrifying than the almost irrepressible effort to breathe when you see at least a yard of water above you. It looks like a mile and feels like two as you rise through it, and, unless you exert the severest self-control, you will gasp while still below the surface and run a very good chance of being drowned. Nowadays, whenever I see a diver remain below the surface for more than half a minute, I always swim to the spot where he is likely to rise, so as to be at hand if needed. It can do no harm, and more that once I have been able to render assistance when the diver has been nearly black in the face, and all but unconscious from an over-long immersion.

On one such occasion, when engaged in a diving match at Sandford Lasher, near Oxford, one of my antagonists had a very narrow escape. This Lasher pool is celebrated as a dangerous place, owing to the force and erratic character of the currents caused by the falling water when the neighbouring mill is not working and the water escapes by the Lasher. When, however, the mill is working, the pool is tolerably quiet, and, being deep, is an admirable diving-place.

The particular match in which we were engaged was this. The competitors had to stand on the bridge with their backs to the pool, throw a couple of white anchovy pots into the pool over their shoulders, take a header from the bridge, and try to fetch up both pots at a single dive.

There would have been little difficulty in this feat but for the construction of the pool. In order to resist the tremendous force of the falling water its bed is paved with large round boulders. Any object thrown into the pool must of necessity fall between the boulders, and cannot be reached without thrusting the arm between them as high as the shoulder. Then the diver cannot see both objects at once, but has to grope after the first which he sees, allow himself to rise, swim about under water until he catches sight of the second, and, if he has sufficient breath and strength, fetch that also. It is a most difficult task, and one of the severest tests of endurance which I know.

He

On that occasion my companion was below the surface longer than usual, and, catching sight of him far below the surface, I jumped into the water and made for him at once. was evidently in difficulties, so I caught him by the hair, pulled him upwards, and put my hand under his arm as soon as he reached the surface. He was quite senseless for a few seconds, but soon came round again. He said that he recollected a feeling of sudden terror as he looked up and saw so much water above him, and that he remembered nothing more until he found himself at the surface. He had secured one of the anchovy pots, had caught sight of the other, and had nearly reached it, when he felt his breath failing. He very rightly got his feet on a boulder and sprang upwards with all his force, but had not assistance been at hand he might have been drowned. Though unconscious, he had not opened his mouth, and so it is just possible that he might have recovered his breath before he sank again.

A COMBINATION of treading water and diving from the surface forms the capital water game called LEAP FROG, which is played as follows.

One of the players, whom we will call No. 1, treads water; the other player (No. 2) goes a few yards behind No. 1, swims rapidly towards him, places both hands shoulders, and, with a powerful spring both from arms and legs, goes completely over the head of No. 1, and dives exactly as if diving from the surface.

Of course the weight of No. 2 drives No. 1 far below the surface, so that both players vanish from sight almost simultaneously.

In the meantime No. 2 swims a dozen yards or so below the surface, and then rises. No. 1, who has gone down perpendicularly, rises in the same spot whence he descended, swims after No. 2, who is now treading water, goes over his head, and so on as long as the players like.

It will be advisable for No. 1 to pull himself downward with his hands as soon as No. 2 has gone over his head, as, if he be not deep enough in the water, he may receive a kick in the face from No. 2. Practised players always watch cach other carefully while under water, so that both may rise to the surface at the same mo

ment.

I once owed a very excellent luncheon to leapfrog.

One of my brothers--also belonging to the Oxford school of swimming-was engaged with me in chasing certain butterflies, especially the Clouded and Pale Clouded Yellow, which love the neighbourhood of the sea. Running after

selves by a swim and plenty of water-games, leap-frog among the number.

As we came up the cliff road we passed the garden gate of a curious Moresque-looking house which we had noticed while bathing, and which had rather excited our curiosity. Just as we passed the gate a little white-haired old lady came out, and, to our total consternation, asked us whether we were tired, and whether we would not like some refreshment. She further volunteered the statement that she had been watching us through a telescope, and, never having seen such swimming in her life, could not allow us to pass her door without asking us to rest for a while.

So we followed her, and found the house even more Moorish within than without, the room into which we were asked being like a silken tent, and everything to match. The hostess was very pleasant and chatty, took the greatest interest in the insects, wanted to know how and where we had learned to swim, displayed a rather wide range of reading and a perfect acquaintance with current literature, gave us a neat little luncheon, and, when we took leave, made us promise to call when we passed that way again.

This we never did; and, as twenty years have elapsed since that time, the quaint, genial, clever old lady cannot be among the denizens of this world. Neither my brother nor myself are likely to forget her, and we shall never even think of leap-frog in the water without a kindly remembrance of the little old lady and her strange silk-draped home.

Another useful trick in the water is the SOMERSAULT. This may be executed either backwards or forwards, the latter being the more difficult. The body and legs must be gathered together, the knees brought close to the chin, and then, by means of the hands, the body can be made to rotate with some rapidity.

At first a single somersault is sufficient, but after a time a good swimmer will turn over as often as he likes without losing breath or turning giddy. Though the eyes are of course left open, they are of very little use in the somersault, the rapid alternation between air and water preventing them from acting.

Keep the elbows close to the sides, and the forearms will then form, as it were, the axletree of the body. Perhaps the trunnions of a cannon would be a better simile. Above all, do not splash more than can be helped, and take care not to gasp or puff as you come to the surface.

The ROLLING-PIN is similar in character to the somersault, but in this case the body is held

KLMNOP

(See No. 8, March 8, 1879.)

SOLUTIONS.

PROBLEM NO. 9.-1, K f4. K c4. 2, M b5, K d3 (Q). 3, Nal, K c4. 4, N e2, K d5. 5. P c4.-(Q) K d5. 3, N e2, P c4. 4, N a3, P d1L. 5, M d6. (This problem can be improved by the addition of a white P d5.)-Solved by F. W. Prowse, who also solved No. 8.

PROBLEM No. 10.-1, N f2, any move. 2, el or e5, or 0 c5 accordingly.-Solved by A. W. Mancell, P. P. F., Hereward, F. W. Prowse.

PROBLEM No. 11.-1, L b1, K c6 (Q, R). 2, O c4, K d7. 3, L b7.-(Q) K d4. 2, L g1, K e5. 3, N c7.-(R) P e5. 2, O c4, K d4. 3, L b6.-Another solution: 1, N b5, K d6. 2, L d2 or el, and mate next move. This second solution is prevented by a black P h7.-Solved by F. W. Prowse, Hereward, F. W. M. (Brighton), and J. E. C. (Ipswich).

PROBLEM No. 12.-1, N c5, K f7. 2, P a4, K e6. 3, P a5, K d7. 4, P a6, K c7. 5, N a7, K c6. 6, K b2 (Q), K b5. 7, K b3, K a6.-(Q) N c5, K c7. 7, K b2, K b8. 8, K b3, K a8, and the K cannot be driven away from a8.

PROBLEM NO. 13.-The K moves on c8 and c7.

are.

E. H. C. (Islington).-You will find excellent stamp albums advertised on wrapper of monthly part. Our boys use Mr. Lincoln's. It is impossible to state any uniform and ready test for discovering forged stamps. CLAUDE.-It is all nonsense about dead donkeys being never seen. They are not left where they die, any more than horses or men As to the age attainable by donkeys (four-footed ones) we are not able to reply; we mean as to the extreme limit. In an article on "The Age of Animals," in January part, 1870, of the "Leisure Hour," it is stated that the horse and the ass, in domestic state, do not often live longer than from twenty to twenty-five years. Old age prostrated "Copenhagen," the Duke of Wellington's famous charger, at twenty-seven years. There are cases on record of far greater age, and probably the age of the ass is also sometimes prolonged.

THE BOY'S OWN CHESS BOARD.-As frontispiece of Part V. of the Boy's OWN PAPER is given a chess board specially prepared for our chess problems, and convenient for ordinary use. It is sold separately for one penny.

K d6. 3, K d4, K e6. 4, K e4, etc.

PROBLEM NO. 15.-1, K a8, K c8. 2, P a7, K c7.

PROBLEM No. 16.-1, L g7, K f2. 2, L h6, K g2. 3, L g5, K fl. 4, L h4, K g2. 5, L g4, K f2. 6, L. h3, K gl. 7, L g3, K hl. 8, L f3, K gl, etc.

F.

Nos 7 and 8 solved by T. M. Prentin.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

C. C. W.-Kindly send the conditions and the solution to your problem.

H. (Oxford.)-We know from our own experience that a blindfold player can use our notation as easily or rather more easily than any other notation. The fixed names of the squares are not so confusing as the change of numbers in your system. For instance, what we call b6, you at one time call Q Kt 6, and at another time Q Kt 3. We are also spared the trouble of noticing K's side and Q's side.

the slang for an honest upright lad, though this depends upon the person using the word. A scamp would probably think another scamp a "brick" if ready to act along with him. The origin of the phrase may be this: Bricks are made of a certain size and shape, nine inches long, four and a half wide, and three thick. Hence build bricks whatever way you please, lengthways, edgeways, or flat, they will always build true and square. Some persons, however, assert that the expression is of classical origin. A nobler phrase is that used by Tennyson when he describes the great Duke of Wellington as 'four-square to all the winds that blow." Acting on the square " is also used to denote straightforward, honourable conduct. If W. is tired of calling a good fellow "a brick," he may call hin "a cube," which is always true, and the slang would have a reason and right meaning for it. An honest fellow, or a truthful boy, would give a higher and better idea of character than such slang as a "brick," which has bad as well as good applications.

66

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"Attempting to desert, sir," was the answer. He had got on shore and had dressed himself in a smock-frock and carter's hat, and was making his way out of the town."

Tom could not deny the accusation, and he was placed in irons, awaiting his punishment, with two other men who had also run from the ship and had been caught.

Rayner felt a sincere compassion for his old messmate, and obtained leave to pay him a visit, anxious to ascertain if there were any extenuating circumstances by which he might obtain a remission of his punishment.

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What made you try to run, Fletcher?" he asked, as he found Tom and his two companions seated in "durance vile on the deck.

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I wanted to go back to my father and to try and persuade him to get me made a midshipman as you are," answered Tom. "It's a shame that a gentleman's son should be treated as I have been, and made a powder monkey of, while you have been placed on the quarter-deck."

"I thought that you had applied to your father before, and that he had refused to interfere," said Rayner, taking no notice of Tom's remark in regard to himself.

"I know that, well enough; but it was my brother who answered the letter; and, as my father is a clever man, I dare say by this time he has become rich again, and, for very shame at having a son of his a common ship's boy, would do as I wish. Can't you tell the captain that, and perhaps he'll excuse me the flogging? It's very hard to be prevented seeing my family, and to be flogged into the bargain. It's more than I can bear, and I've a great mind to jump overboard and drown myself when I get my wrists out of these irons."

"You'll not do that," answered Rayner, knowing very well that Tom did not dream of putting his threat into execution; "but I'll tell the first lieutenant what you say about your wish to see your family, though I fear it will not influence him in recommending the captain to remit your punishment. I would advise you, whatever happens, to submit, and to try, by doing your duty, to gain a good name for yourself," said Rayner, who gave him some other sound advice before he returned on deck.

Mr. Saltwell shook his head when he heard what Rayner had to say. "The captain won't forgive him, you may depend upon that, Rayner," he answered;

"desertion must be punished, were it only as a warning to others." Rayner, fortunately for himself, was on shore when Tom underwent his punishment, so that he was saved the pain of seeing it inflicted.

The frigate had been surveyed, but what opinion had been formed about her was not known for some time. At length the captain, who had gone on shore, returned, and, mustering the ship's company, informed them that, according to the surveyor's report, it would take some months to put her in thorough repair, and that in the meantime he had been appointed to the command of the store-ship Bombay Castle, of sixty-four guns, bound for the Mediterranean, and he should take his officers and crew with him. "We all of us might wish for more active service, my lads, but we shall not be long absent, and I hope by the time we come back that we shall find our tight little frigate as ready for any duty she may be sent on as you all, I am sure, will be."

A cheer was the reply to this address, and the next day the officers and crew of the Thisbe went on board their new ship. They had, however, first to get her ready for sea, and then to receive the stores on board, by which time several of the wounded men, including Jack Peak, had sufficiently recovered to join her.

The Bombay Castle was rolling her way across the Bay of Biscay with a northerly breeze. She was a very different craft from the Thisbe, and though more than twice her size, not nearly so comfortable. Captain Martin had received orders to avoid an engagement, except attacked, and then to do his best to escape, as the stores she carried were of great value, and were much required by the fleet. Though several sail were sighted supposed to be an enemy's squadron, she managed to escape from them, and arrived safe at Gibraltar. Here she was joined by the Ione frigate, and the two ships sailed together, expecting to fall in with the fleet off Toulon.

The two ships lay almost becalmed in the Gulf of Lyons. Several officers of the Ione, which was only a short distance off, had come on board, when Captain Martin advised them, somewhat to their surprise, to get back to the frigate.

"I don't quite like the look of the weather," he remarked. "I've seen the masts of a ship whipped out of her, when not five minutes before there was no more wind than we have at present."

The frigate's boat left the side and was seen pulling rapidly towards her. Suddenly the cry was heard, "All hands on deck to save ship!"

Those who were below, springing up, found the ship heeling over till her yardarms almost touched the foaming water, which came rushing over the deck, while the watch were engaged in letting fly tacks and sheets, lowering topsails, clewing up and hauling down, blocks were rattling, sails shivering, the wind roaring, the sea leaping, hissing, and foaming. The helm was put up, the ship righted, and away she flew before the furious blast, not having suffered any material damage.

The Ione, however, could nowhere be seen. Struck by the squall, she might either have been dismasted or have capsized. In the former case it was very probable that she might fall into the hands of the enemy; but, much as the captain desired it, he could not return to her assistance.

Night came on, and the gale increased, the big ship tumbling and rolling about almost as much as she would have done in the Atlantic, so rapidly did the sea get up. It took some time to get everything snug, but as the ship was at a considerable distance from the land, no great anxiety was felt for her safety.

The next moment the cry of "Fire!" was raised, and the people came rushing up the hatchway in the midst of volumes of smoke ascending from the orlop deck.

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Rayner, go and inform the captain what has occurred," said Mr. Saltwell, in a calm tone. "Let the drum beat to quarters!" he shouted.

The rolling sound of the drum was soon heard along the decks, and the men, springing from all parts of the ship, hurried to their respective stations, where they stood, ready for their orders.

Not a cry was heard. Not an expression of alarm escaped from one of the men. Scarcely a word was spoken as they stood prepared to do their duty.

Summoning the gunner and the boatswain, the first lieutenant ordered the former to open the ports, to give light and air below, and the latter to pipe up the hammocks. He then descended to the orlop deck, made his way first into one tier, then into another, in both of which he found the smoke issuing exceedingly thick from forward. He was now joined by the second lieutenant and Rayner.

"We'll just go into the sail-room and ascertain if the fire is there," he said.

On reaching it, there was no appearance of fire or smoke. It was thus evident that the seat of the fire was farther forward. He and his companions next proceeded to the hold, but the dense smoke compelled them to beat a retreat, as their throats became affected as if from the fumes of hot tar. A second attempt to reach the hold was equally unsuccessful. The entire absence of heat, however, convinced them that the fire could not be in that part of the ship, but that the smoke found its way through the bulkheads.

They were returning on deck, when a cry was raised that the fire was down forward.

"I alone will go!" said Mr Saltwell. "Not a life must be risked without necessity. Remain, and render me any assistance I may require."

Having descended to the orlop deck, he was attempting to go down into the cockpit, when several men rushed by him, crying out that the fire was increasing. He endeavoured to retreat, but would have fallen before he reached the deck, had not the second lieutenant and Rayner, springing forward, assisted him up, and the next moment he sank down, apparently lifeless. It was some minutes before the fresh air revived him.

The wind had fallen with almost the same rapidity with which it had arisen, but there was still a good deal of sea on. It had now shifted. The first lieutenant was officer of the watch, and was superintending the operation of washing decks.

Rayner, and another midshipman, also with bare feet and trousers tucked up, were paddling about, directing the men in their various duties.

Our hero had just come aft, and was addressing Mr. Saltwell, when the latter, looking forward, suddenly exclaimed,

"What can that smoke be? Run and

and see where it comes from!"

Some short time was of necessity lost while the captain and master and the lieutenants were holding a consultation as to what was to be done.

In the meantime, Rayner, seeing the importance of discovering the seat of the fire, resolved at every risk to make the attempt. Without telling any of the officers of his intention, he called on Ben Twinch and Jack and Tom, whom he met on his way, to accompany him, and to bring a long rope with them. On reaching the hatchway he fastened the end round

his waist.

tone.

"I am afraid, Captain Martin, that we cannot hope to save the ship," he said; "the fire may be kept under for an hour or perhaps two hours, but if it once makes its way through the hatchways and gets to the lower decks, there is nothing to stop it. I would strongly advise that the boats should at once be got ready, so that as many lives as possible may be preserved."

Were we to do that, the people would immediately fancy that the destruction of the ship is certain, and abandon themselves to despair," said the captain.

"I know our men and can answer for their doing their duty," replied Mr. Saltwell, with confidence. "If we delay getting out the boats, we may find it impossible to do so at last, and the lives of all on board may be sacrificed. We can trust to the marines, and give them directions to prevent any of the men getting into the boats until you issue the order for them to do

"You are right, Saltwell; send the sergeant of marines here," said the captain.

The sergeant quickly appeared and stood bolt upright, with his hand to the peak of his hat, as if on parade, ready to receive any orders which might be given.

Call out your men, and understand that they are to load with ball and shoot any of the seamen who get into the boats without orders."

"The sergeant, saluting, faced about, as if going to perform some ordinary routine

of duty, and, quickly mustering his marines, stationed them as directed. The first lieutenant now gave orders to the boatswain to turn the hands up, and as soon as they appeared on deck, he shouted, "Out boats! but understand, my lads, that not one of you is to enter them without leave. The marines have received orders to shoot the first man who attempts to do so, though you do not require to be told that." The crew hastened to the tackles and falls and with the most perfect regularity the boats were lowered into the water, when they were veered astern and secured for towing. The helm was now put down, the yards braced up, and the ship's head directed to the north-west, in which direction the land lay, though not visible from the deck. The crew knew by this that the captain and officers considered the ship to be in great danger, and at the same time it encouraged them to persevere in their attempts to keep the fire under. They had some hopes also of falling in with the Ione, or by firing the guns to attract her attention, should she be within hearing of them.

As the boats, however, would not carry the whole ship's company, the captain directed the carpenter and his mates to get the booms overboard for the purpose of constructing a raft large enough to support those whom the boats could not carry.

powder, but a quantity remained, sufficient at any moment to blow the ship into the air.

Although no human being could exist between the decks forward, the after part of the lower deck remained free from smoke. In the hopes of getting at the magazine, the carpenter was directed to cut scuttles through the ward-room and gun-room, so as to get down right above it. By keeping all the doors closed, the smoke was prevented from entering, and at length it was found that the powder could be drawn up and hove overboard out of the gallery windows. Several of the officers volunteered for this dangerous duty. Rayner, notwithstanding that he had just before escaped suffocation, again twice descended, and was cach time drawn up more dead than alive. Several hours had now gone by, and the wind providentially holding fair, the ship was nearing the land. Meantime, the fire was fast gaining on them, and might at any moment triumph over all the heroic efforts of the crew to subdue it. The heat below was intense. The first lieutenant, going forward, found that the batches had been blown off, as also the tarpaulins placed over the gratings. As it was of the greatest importance to keep them on, he directed the carpenter, with as many men as could be obtained, to replace them, while he returned once more aft, to superintend the As it was now evident, from the increas-operation of getting up the powder. ing volumes of smoke which ascended through the hatchways, that the fire was working its way aft, although the flames had not yet burst out, it became of the greatest importance to get the powder out of the magazine. For this purpose the second lieutenant descended with a party of men, and succeeded in bringing up a considerable quantity, which was stowed in the stern gallery. All the other hands, not otherwise employed, were engaged under the different officers in heaving water down the hatchways, but the smoke increased to such a degree that they were compelled to desist, several who persevered falling senseless on the deck. The powder which had been got up being hove into the sea, the captain gave the order to drown the magazine. The difficulty of accomplishing this task was, however, very great, and the second lieutenant and gunner, with several of the men, were drawn up, apparently lifeless, after making the attempt. Licutenant Saltwell now again descended to the after cockpit, where he found one man alone still persevering in the hazardous duty-Ben Twinch, boatswain's mate.

"A few more buckets, and we'll do it, sir!" cried Ben; but almost immediately afterwards he sank down exhausted.

The lieutenant, singing out for a rope, fastened it round him, though fearing that he himself would be overpowered before the gallant seaman could be drawn up. He succeeded, however, and once more returned to the deck above. Still, he knew that a large quantity of powder remained dry, and that should the fire reach the magazine, the destruction of all on board would be inevitable. Although gasping for breath, he was about again to descend, when a light, active figure, with a rope round his waist, darted past him, and he recognised Rayner. He was about to follow, when he heard the voice of the midshipman shouting, "Haul me up, quick!”

The next instant Rayner was drawn up, too much exhausted to speak. He had succeeded in drowning a portion of the

Although hitherto none of the men had attempted to shirk their duty, greatly to his annoyance he saw, on looking out of the ward-room windows, the stern ladders covered with people, who fancied that they would there be more secure, and escape discovery.

At once bursting open a window he ordered them all up, and directed Rayner to go and see that they made their appearance on deck. Among one of the first who came creeping up our hero discovered his former messmate Tom Fletcher.

"You people have disgraced yourselves. Fletcher, I am sorry to have to say the same to you," he exclaimed.

It was the first time he had ever openly found fault with his former companion, but his feelings compelled him to utter the words.

Tom, and the whole of the men who had been on the ladders, sneaked away on either side, ashamed at all events of being found out, and still looking with longing eyes at the boats astern. Every now and then a scaman was brought aft and placed under the doctor's care, but of the number four were found to be past recovery, and it seemed doubtful whether several others would revive.

The greater portion of the crew, under the direction of the officers, were vicing with each other, trying to keep down the flames.

The wind shifted a point or two more in their favour. The captain immediately ordered the hands aloft, to set the topgallant sails and royals.

Seven anxious hours had passed, when, while the men were still aloft, the cry arose, "Land, land, on the weather bow!"

The men on deck cheered at the announcement. In a short timesit could be observed through the haze right ahead. The sight, though the land was still five leagues distant, revived the sinking spirits of the crew, and spurred them on to greater exertions. Still, notwithstanding all their efforts, the fire rapidly increased. Again and again efforts were made to clear the