There was a smell of fire in the hold--the hold filled with powder, shells, and other combustibles. This fact tended to confirm the statement of the wretch; yet Somers was incredulous. When he reached the scene of danger he found the officers and the men timid about proceeding far into the hold, for if there was fire, there must soon be an explosion. "Follow me, my men!" said he, as he walked aft on the cargo. "Ay, ay, sir!" cheerfully responded the men,--for the American seaman will go anywhere an officer will lead him. In the after part of the hold there was a dense smoke and a strong smell of fire. "Keep back! You are all dead men!" shouted Captain Walmsley, as Somers advanced and discovered the speaker seated on a box. "What are you doing here?" demanded Somers. "I am going to blow up the steamer," replied the captain, who held in his hand a tin pan filled with burning oakum, chips, and other combustible material. "Well, why don't you do it, then?" said Somers. "For God's sake, Mr. Somers, don't stay here," pleaded Mr. Hudson. "You needn't, if you are afraid," replied he, coolly. "Mr. Somers, in one instant I can blow the Ben Nevis all to pieces," said Captain Walmsley, with a proper exhibition of tragic adjuncts. "Why don't you do it, then?" "I am willing to give you one chance to save your lives." "You are very considerate. Mr. Pillgrim was going to blow her up for my special benefit." "If you think I am not in earnest, you are greatly mistaken," continued the captain, as he stirred up the burning substances in the pan. "I see you are in earnest, and I am waiting for you to blow her up." "I will give you ten minutes to save your lives; for I have sworn this vessel shall never go into port as a prize. You and your people can take to the boats and save yourselves." "Will you blow her up when we are gone?" "I will." "I have had quite enough of this, Captain Walmsley," said Somers, advancing to the fire king, revolver in hand. "Now go on deck, or I will blow your brains out, if you have any." The captain looked at the revolver, and he might as well have acknowledged his defeat, for his face proclaimed it. "If I should drop this into the cargo, it would blow up the ship." "No, it wouldn't. There are nothing but solid shot and shell under you," replied Somers; and perhaps his coolness and self-possession were in a great measure due to his knowledge of this fact, for he had carefully inspected the cargo immediately after the capture of the vessel.