308 THE WORLD OF ICE.

Setting the example, the captain sprang below,
followed by Fred and Tom Singleton, who secured
the charts, a compass, chronometer, and quadrant ;
also the log-book and the various journals and records
of the voyage. Captain Ellice also did active service,
and being cool and self-possessed he recollected and
secured several articles which were afterwards of the
greatest use, and which, but for him, would in such
a trying moment have probably been forgotten.

Meanwhile, the two largest boats in the ship were
lowered. Provisions, masts, sails, and oars, ete., were
thrown in. The few remaining dogs, among whom
were Dumps and Poker, were also embarked; and
the crew hastily leaping in pushed off. They were
not a moment too soon. The fire had reached the
place where the gunpowder was kept, and although
there was not a great quantity of it, there was enough
when it exploded to burst open the deck. The wind,
having free ingress, fanned the fire into a furious
blaze, and in a few moments the Dolphin was wrapped
in flames from stem to stern. It was a little after
sunset when the fire was discovered. In two hours
later the good ship was burned to the water’s edge.
Then the waves swept in, and while they extinguished
the fire they sank the blackened hull, leaving the two
crowded boats floating in darkness on the bosom of
the ice-laden sea.