Page:A Wild-Goose Chase - Balmer - 1915.djvu/188



OR a moment after the last explosion, as for the instant following the bursting of the first tank, the rush of the flaming gas seemed to smother the fire in the wooden hulk. But at once the red and yellow flames leaped up again, finishing their work of destruction of the oil-soaked wreckage of the ship and the supplies left in the frame of the hull. Figures, fiercely fighting to save some of these, came close and hacked holes in the ice through which to dip the buckets they had kept and get water to throw upon the roaring blaze.

These men were plainly recognisable in the glare from the flame. Latham was among them, Geoff saw; but some one was missing; there were only six.

He recognised Koehler next to him, and was about to call to ask him who the missing man 174