So rapidly had the flames spread that the "Giuseppe's" boats were on fire before they could be lowered. Already several of the falls had been burnt through, and the boats had fallen, still blazing, into the water. Right aft, and frequently obscured from view by the thick clouds of smoke, were about twenty of the crew of the munitions ship, either unable to swim or else too dazed to make the attempt.
Farrar glanced at his chum and pointed to the burning vessel.
"Shall us?" he inquired.
"Let's," replied the A.P. promptly.
Both men realised the nature of the impending danger, but the thought of being able to make an attempt to save life banished all sense of self-preservation. In cold blood they might have thought twice before lingering in the vicinity of a floating cargo of explosives that might be detonated at any moment. It was the British seaman's instinct to "butt in and do a bit" that supplied the stimulus to their formidable task.
Lying along the quay were dozens of boats—long "double-enders," with high prows and stern-posts after the manner of Mediterranean craft. In almost every one were oars, for in their hasty flight the boatmen had given no thought for their property, although now, doubtless, they were bemoaning the anticipated destruction of their means of livelihood.
Selecting a long carvel-built boat the two officers cast off painter and stern-fast, and seizing the oars pulled in the direction of the "Giuseppe." It was a slow business propelling a strange craft, for each of the oars worked on a single thole-pin, which was so placed as to allow the rowers to stand and face the bows and push rather than pull the long oars.
The air was heavy with pungent fumes. Clouds of black smoke eddied incessantly over and around the boat, obscuring the burning ship from the two young officers' view. The heat was terrific, while the crackle and roar of the flames dominated all other sounds.
"Way 'nough!" shouted Farrar, as the towering stern of the "Giuseppe" loomed through the smoke. "Jump for it, men."
Although unable to understand English, the survivors of the crew grasped the significance of the sub's words. Half a dozen leapt, retaining sufficient presence of mind to jump into the water and not directly into the boat. These soon clambered over the sheering gunwales, and in their terror made a frantic dash for the oars to back the little craft away from the burning ship.