J. S. Fletcher

“ After all that shooting! I should think that man who's just got away was the last."
"There was a man left on board who fired at him—and at whom he fired back," I pointed.
"Yes—and who never fired again," she retorted. "They must all—oh!"
She interrupted herself with a sharp exclamation, and turning from watching the blue-jackets and their boat I saw that she was staring at the yawl. From its forecastle a black column of smoke suddenly shot up, followed by a great lick of flame.
"Good heavens!" I exclaimed. "The yawl's on fire!" ”

“ There's one man somewhere in these woods. Whether he's a Chinaman we can't say—we couldn't make out."
He stared at me wonderingly for a moment; then turned and looked at the yawl. Evidently the blue-jackets had succeeded in checking the fire; the flame had died down, and the smoke now only hung about in wreaths; we could see figures running actively about the deck.
"There may be men on there that need medical assistance," said Lorrimore. "Where's this boat you mentioned, Middlebrook? I'm going off to that vessel. Two of you men pull me across there." ”

“ I replied. "Two Europeans—four Chinese."
He turned a quick eye on the naval officer.
"Then one of 'em's escaped—somehow!" he exclaimed. "There's only five here—and every man Jack is dead! Where's the other!"
"One did escape," said I. I, too, looked at the lieutenant. "He got off in a boat just as you and your men were approaching the bar yonder—I thought you'd see him."
"No," he answered, shaking his head. "We didn't see anybody leave. The yawl lay between us and him most likely. Where did he land?" ”

“ They're all dead—the others were dead then."
"Not a man alive!" I exclaimed.
Scarterfield cast a glance astern—the glance of a man who draws back the curtain from a set stage.
"Look for yourselves!" he muttered. "Too late for any of your work, doctor. But—that sixth man?"
Lorrimore and I, giving no heed just then to the detective's questioning about the escaped man, went towards the after part of the deck. Busied with their labours in getting the fire under control, the blue-jackets had up to then left the dead men where they found them—with one exception. ”