“Stand ready there, right aft,” said Oliver. “Get plenty of ropes over the stern rail, and we must escape there when the powder explodes.”
“But how will you manage with the keg?”
“I’ll show you,” said Oliver, and while ropes were made fast to the belaying-pins and stays, and cast over the stern in a dozen places, he took Smith and Wriggs with him bearing one of the longest planks that could be torn down above the bulwarks. The end of this was rested upon the cover of the deck-house, seven feet above the deck, the other thrust forward to where the flames were eating their way along, and showing that below, the forecastle and hold were rapidly becoming a furnace of fire.
“Now give me the keg,” said Oliver, and Smith handed it up to where he climbed on the deck-house, and it was placed there on end, the young man’s figure showing up in the brilliant glow of light, and offering an easy mark to any savage who liked to draw a bow.
But no arrow came flying, and Oliver, whose plan was now grasped, sent his companions aft to the ropes, to stand ready to save themselves when the critical moment came. Every man was well armed, and his pockets and wallet crammed with cartridges, and the orders were as soon as they had dropped from the stern to follow Panton as he led them towards the opening in the wood, some hundreds of yards from the spot whence the line of blacks still brought their faggots.
“For goodness’ sake be careful,” cried Panton, turning to where Oliver stood. “You’ll act at once, will you not? the heat here is stifling.”
“Directly you get back to your place. Then I shall join you, and Drew and I will form the rear guard. Now, then, off with you, and God help us.”
Panton reached up to wring his hand, and then, with the mainmast overhead already beginning to burn, he ran aft.
There was no time to spare, for the fire was creeping astern with wonderful rapidity, and, after a glance downward at the deck, Oliver lifted the keg and held it carefully balanced upon the top of the sloping plank, whose lower end was now just beginning to burn. For the space of quite a minute he held it with a fire in front scorching his brow, and the sparks rushing overhead on what was now a fierce wind. Then, when he had it perfectly balanced to his satisfaction, he let go with both hands, and the keg remained stationary for an instant. Then it began to roll down the plank faster and faster, and ended by literally bounding off the burning deck as it reached the bottom of the plank and plunging right into the fiery furnace that had been the forecastle.
Oliver stayed till he saw the keg disappear, and then swung himself down and ran to where his friends were waiting.