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"Sail ho!" called the shrill tones of the look-out, at this moment.

"Whereaway?" demanded Captain Dale, as he seized a glass, and sprang into the rigging.

"Due east, sir."

"And an Englishman, by Jupiter!" exclaimed the captain, as he again leaped on the deck. "There's something wrong on board of her, too," he continued, "for the crew are running wildly about the deck, sometimes rushing in a body below, and again re-appearing. Can the crew have mutinied?"

Again he gazed long and steadfastly at the vessel.

"Heavens!" he exclaimed, "the ship's on fire!"

"By Jove, so it is," said Fred; and, even as he spoke, a sudden jet of flame shot up the hatchway of the ship.

"And there goes a signal of distress," shouted Gus, as a white pennant suddenly streamed out in the breeze from the mast-head.

"See how the poor wretches are crowding together," exclaimed the captain; "we must not let them perish before our eyes. Who will volunteer to go to the rescue?"

As if by one impulse, men and officers all sprang forward to offer their services.