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At Gaskin's announcement, bedlam broke loose among the diners. They leaped to their feet and rushed headlong from the messroom.

“Get th' buckets!” “Man th' boat!” “We'll niver get there in toime!” “''Allons! Allons''!” “W'y didn't we put a guard on 'er!” “Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!” “Yes, 'urry! 'urry!”

Out into the darkness to the forward pontoon rushed the howling mob. Some gave inarticulate cries, others bewailed their lost riches to the vast empty night.

A strange sight met their eyes. The spars and sails of theMinnie B stood out against the black heavens in a flickering brilliance that danced up through the rigging, but presently all saw it was a mere light shining from beneath.

“Th' fire's in th' hold!” cried Galton hoarsely. “Did you men drop a match?”