With the customary, “Ay, ay, sir!” shouted cheerily, in the manner of good men and willing lads, the crew ran forward.
Skipper Bill remembers that the cook tripped and went sprawling into the lee scupper; and that he scrambled out of the water with a laugh. 101
It was the last laugh aboard the First Venture; for the condition of the schooner was then instantly discovered.
“Fire!” screamed Billy Topsail.
The First Venture was all ablaze forward.
CHAPTER XI
In Which the “First Venture” All Ablaze Forward, Is Headed For the Rocks and Breakers of the Chunks, While Bill o’ Burnt Bay and His Crew Wait for the Explosion of the Powder in Her Hold. In Which, Also, a Rope Is Put to Good Use
“Fire!”