I walked away and took up a position on the deck where I was unable to hear this argument on American humour, and where I could watch the burning ship in peace.
Very suddenly the great blaze upon the sea vanished. My eyes were upon the strong wild light when it went out, and I noticed that just before it disappeared the flaming masts of the vessel reeled so as to form a fiery arc, and then all was blackness where the light had been; whence it was to be supposed that the ship, in filling with water, had heeled over, and gone down like a stone. The vessel that hung near showed now very distinctly by the moonlight, and immediately over the spot where the burning ship had foundered, hung a great dim white cloud, which reflected the moonbeams as a cobweb might; but as I gazed this immense body of steam melted away, and nothing was to be seen but the pallid sails of the befriending vessel showing out against the dark cloud of smoke.
CHAPTER XVII
MY DYING FRIEND
Captain Ladmore descended into the saloon, and several of the passengers followed him to finish the brandy and water or wine which they had been sipping when called upon to view the ship on fire. A figure came across the deck to where I stood in the shadow of the mast. I had supposed myself hidden, so dark was the shadow cast by the mast, and I stood in the shadow. The figure was Mr. Harris, the chief officer.
‘Good evening,’ he exclaimed.
‘Good evening,’ I answered.
‘Been looking at the burning ship?’ said he.
‘Yes, I have been looking at the burning ship.’
‘Ever seen a ship on fire before?’