It is to be doubted if even Doane gave regard at the moment to the possible origin of the fire. It had spread through two or three of the upper cabins by way of the ventilating grills and was roaring out through a doorway by the time he heard the new outcry and ran to the spot. The white men were rushing about. Rocky Kane, collarless, disheveled, was fumbling ineffectually at the emergency fire hose; him Doane pushed aside. But the flames spread amazingly; worked through the grill-work from cabin to cabin; soon were licking at the walls and furniture of the social hall. Doane left Dawley Kane and Tex Conner--an oddly matched couple--manning the hose, others at work with the chemical extinguishers, while he went forward through the thickening smoke to the bridge. Captain Benjamin said, huskily, almost apologetically--his eyes red and staring, his face haggard: “I'm beaching her.” And in another moment she struck, where the channel ran close under an island. Lowering the boats without a crew proved difficult. Already the fire had reached those forward. Doane, the other mate and MacKail did what they could. The Chinese women crowded hither and thither, screaming, rendering order impossible. In the confusion one boat drifted off with only Connor, the Manila Kid, and Miss Carmichael. Captain Benjamin was cut off by the quick progress of the flames. The whole forward end of the cabin structure was now a roaring furnace, fortunately working forward on the down-stream breeze rather than aft. The flames blazed from moment to moment higher; sparks danced higher yet; the heat was intense. Doane sent the viceroy and his suite below, aft, where the deck was still strewn with bodies and slippery with blood. With three available boats, fighting back the crowding women and the more excitable among his excellency's secretaries, he sent ashore, first the women, then his excellency and the men. Hui Fei--she had slipped hastily into the little Chinese costume she wore at their midnight talk, and had thrown about it an opera cloak from New York--went in one of the first boats; Doane himself handed her in. The two teachers, pale, very composed, followed. At the oars were two of the customs men, faces streaked with grime and sweat. To his excellency, as the last boats got away, Doane said: “I will follow you soon. I must look once more for the captain.” “I will send back a boat,” said the viceroy.