There was nothing to be done except rake out the ashes and begin anew.

This he did.

When he removed the kettle he decided at once that it was much too small for the purpose required of it.

To boil a lobster of that size in a kettle of that size would necessitate boiling one end at a time, and that, both for the victim and himself, would be troublesome and agonizing.

He hunted about for a larger kettle and, finding none, seized in desperation upon the wash boiler, filled it, and lifted it to the top of the stove above the flickering new fire.
The fire burned slowly, and he sat down to rest and wait.