"No, the fire has gained too much headway for that."
"But we might try."
"It won't do, I tell you. We must get out a boat and leave the schooner. Ten minutes more and it will be too late."
"What, as bad as that!" came back with a groan. "Can't we save her nohow?"
"No, I tell you, idiot! I've been on board a burning vessel before. Man the jolly-boat, and lose no time!"
"Yes, yes, the jolly-boat!" ejaculated half a dozen, and then I heard another rush.
I was terribly alarmed. Captain Hannock's foul plot had been put into execution. What would the end be?
I was almost stunned by my discovery. I paced up and down my cell like a madman, but all to no purpose.
"Hurry up, men!" I heard Captain Hannock exclaim. "Don't be an hour in doing five minute's work! Use your strength!"
"Ay! ay! sir! No time to lose, that's a fact."