6

about 3 o'clock by the cry of "Fire,
Fire". There was a general stampede
for the decks some with nothing but shirts
on [but shirts] some with one stocking some
with trousers & others the more composed
dressed comfortably and took things more
easy. On awakening I slid into my
stocking pulled on my trousers and
lay in my bunk waiting the course of event
s for it was no use going on deck as I shou
ld only gget into the sailors way and
hinder their efforts to put the fire out.
It appears than someone in the third class
cabin left a candle burning and after
having burnt itself down the tallow
ran about and the wood caught fire
but I have no doubt, but that either
he or she has repented of carelessness
for a good soaking is not at all desirab
le just now as it blows rather cold