flashed through his mind . Then he was quite steady , and strolled away saying quietly : ` Smoking not allowed there , I 'll go and stop it . ' But the instant he was out of sight his face changed , and he leaped down the hatchway , thinking , with a queer smile on his lips : ` If we are afire , should n't wonder if I did make a coral bed my grave ! ' He was gone a few minutes , and when he came up , half stifled with smoke , he was as white as a very brown man could be , but calm and cool as he went to report to the captain . ` Fire in the hold , sir . ' ` Do n't frighten the women , ' was Captain Hardy 's first order ; then both be stirred themselves to discover how strong the treacherous enemy was , and to rout it if possible . The Brenda 's cargo was a very combustible one , and in spite of the streams of water poured into the hold it was soon evident that the ship was doomed . Smoke began to ooze up between the planks everywhere , and the rising gale soon fanned the smouldering fire to flames that began to break out here and there , telling the dreadful truth too plainly for anyone to hide . Mrs Hardy and Mary bore the shock bravely when told to be ready to quit the ship at a minute 's notice ; the boats were hastily prepared , and the men worked with a will to batten down every loophole whence the fire might escape . Soon the poor Brenda was a floating furnace , and the order to ` Take to the boats ! ' came for all . The women first , of course , and it was fortunate that , being a merchantman , there were no more passengers on board , so there was no panic , and one after the other the boats pushed off . That in which the women were lingered near , for the brave captain would be the last to leave his ship . Emil stayed by him till ordered away , and reluctantly obeyed ; but it was well for him he went , for just as he had regained the boat , rocking far below , half hidden by a cloud of smoke , a mast , undermined by the fire now raging in the bowels of the ship , fell with a crash , knocking Captain Hardy overboard . The boat soon reached him as he floated out from the wreck , and Emil sprung into the sea to rescue him , for he was wounded and senseless . This accident made it necessary for the young man to take command , and he at once ordered the men to pull for their lives , as an explosion might occur at any moment . The other boats were out of danger and all lingered to watch the splendid yet awesome spectacle of the burning ship alone on the wide sea , reddening the night and casting a lurid glare upon the water , where floated the frail boats filled with pale faces , all turned for a last look at the fated Brenda , slowly settling to her watery grave . No one saw the end , however , for the gale soon swept the watchers far away and separated them , some never to meet again till the sea gives up its dead . The boat whose fortunes we must follow was alone when dawn came up , showing these survivors all the dangers of their situation . Food and water had been put in , and such provision for comfort and safety as time allowed ; but it was evident that with a badly wounded man , two women , and seven sailors , their supply would not last long , and help was sorely needed .
Their only hope was in meeting a ship , although the gale , which had raged all XXXXX , had blown them out of their course .
Brenda Emil Hardy Mary accident crash explosion merchantman night rout