A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A QUEER RACE. 31 ics, was as dry as tinder, and the conflagration spread with frightful rapidity. When I reached the deck, although only a few minutes had elapsed since the alarm was given, smoke was coming up the after-hatchway, and the crew, under the direction of the captain, were doing their ut- most to put ont the fire. Pumps were going; buckets were being passed from hand to hand; the decks were deluged with water, and tons of it poured into the hold. “But all to httle purpose; and after half an hour’s strenuous exertion, 1 heard the captain give an order which showed that he despaired of saving the ship. It was to lower the boats and remove the wounded to the Santa Anna, under the charge of the surgeon and chap- lain. ‘‘Tt was a dreadful task, and caused some of the poor maimed creatures most exquisite pain; but sailors are won- derfully deft and handy, and the order was executed in a much shorter time than might be supposed. “Yet, short as the time was, the fire had visibly gained ground, and we watched its progress from the deck of the Santa Anna with unspeakable anxiety. Bunt not until the after-part of the ship was wrapped in flames, and her destruction imminent, did the captain give up the attempt to save her, and order the crew to take to the boats and come on board the Santa Anna, which was hove-to at about a cable’s length away. He was the last to leave the deck, and ten minutes after he quitted it the Hecate was one mass of flame, a burning fiery furnace, the heat of which we could feel even on the galleon’s deck. ‘“We watched the fire until it burned down to the water’s edge and was extinguished by the sea, leaving nothing of the once galiant war-ship behind save a few charred fragments. Then, the wind being fair, orders were given to make sail, and we went on our course, not without hope, despite the omens, of a speedy and happy termination of our eventful cruise. ‘¢ Most of the officers and men have lost all their effects in the fire; but, thanks to the thoughtfulness and cour- ave of the boy who waits on me, I have saved 2 good part of my wardrobe, some writing materials, and nearly all my books. | EOMICcboo A cS (E(0)