moment's delay was fraught with peril and death. 'If we wait,' said
he, 'till the last moment, it may not be possible to save any; we can
get the marines under arms.' Captain Le Gros yielded the point; he
directed the sergeant of marines to get his men under arms, with
orders to load with ball, and to shoot without hesitation the first
man who should attempt to go into the boats without permission. All
hands were then turned up, and the command given to 'out boats.'

The order was promptly executed, and as soon as the boats were out and
secure for towing, the ship's head was pointed to the north-west, with
the view of nearing the land, and in hopes that she might fall in with
the Juno.

In the meantime, a party was employed in getting the booms overboard
for a raft, the fore and main gratings were laid up and covered over,
and Lieutenant Banks was sent down to get the powder out of the
magazine, and stow it away in the stern gallery. He could only
partially accomplish this; for the smoke increased upon them so much
that the men were obliged to desist. The powder they had got up was
thrown overboard, and water was poured down to drown that which
remained; but the task of filling the magazine was hopeless, and
therefore abandoned. Many of the men were drawn up apparently
lifeless, amongst whom were Lieutenant Banks and the gunner.
Lieutenant Tailour then went below to ascertain how matters were going
on; he found only the boatswain's mate in the cockpit, who was almost
stupified by the smoke. Mr. Tailour assisted him to reach the deck,
and then the gallant officer was preparing to return to the magazine,
taking a rope with him by way of precaution, when Lieutenant Banks,
with noble generosity, darted past him, also with a rope in his hand,
and descended on the dangerous service; but in a short time he was