CHAPTER XLVII. 



FIRE ON BOARD THE ' FRAM.' 



IT was Sunday, May 27, 1900, about noon. Simmons was walking 

 up and down the deck, immersed in his own thoughts, when he 

 suddenly discovered that the large winter-awning was on the point 

 of bursting into flame. A spark from the galley chimney had 

 probably been blown on to the canvas which had caught fire. 



He at once gave the alarm, and, a few seconds afterwards, the 

 crew, consisting of nine men, were on deck. Baumann, who was 

 the first to come up, made straight for the awning, in order to cut 

 away the burning canvas, but the flames were already licking up 

 to the ridge of the roof, and the steel rope which ran along the 

 awning prevented him from carrying out his intention. 



At this juncture the mate came running to his assistance, but 

 it was in vain. A few seconds afterwards the mainsail was in 

 flames, and, with the same rushing speed, the fire also ate down- 

 wards to a heap of dry thin boards, and to the fifteen or sixteen 

 paraffin-prepared kayaks, which were lying under the awning. 



The danger was now imminent. The flames hissed up the 

 mainmast ; the winding tackle on both sides, and the serving up 

 the shrouds caught fire, likewise the mainmast, and the smoke 

 poured forth, grey and choking, from the flaming kayaks. The 

 deck grew burning hot, and every moment it seemed as if the 

 powder cases, which stood close beside the awning, must explode 

 and make an end of everything. But the men went at it without 

 flinching, and dragged away the boxes one by one out of the 

 burning heat, without doubt at the very last moment. 



In the midst of this sea of fire, however, the greatest source of 

 danger still threatened. This was an iron tank, containing over 



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