FIGHTING THE FLAMES.
It was some moments after the fire was discovered before anything could
be done toward checking the flames, for the very good reason that the
exact location remained a mystery until a visit had been paid to the
hold.
The cook said the galley felt unusually warm; but he paid no particular
attention to the fact, thinking the weather had grown hotter, and, save
for the smoke, there were no signs of fire to be seen anywhere until Mr.
Walters called upon one of the men to raise the hatch which led into the
eyes of the yacht directly beneath the kitchen.
Instantly this was done a broad sheet of flame burst forth, and had the
stout covering not been replaced immediately, the little craft would
have soon been consumed.
Working with all speed, for even the seconds were precious now, the
hatch was battened down, and a hole large enough to admit of the nozzle
of the hose, bored just abaft the hatch-way.
While this was being done a portion of the crew had been getting into
working order the hose used for washing down the decks, and when all was
ready the real task of extinguishing the flames began.
A steady stream of water was forced into the hold as rapidly as the men
could work the pumps, and the lower deck examined carefully for the
slightest aperture which might admit air.
How the fire had started no one knew, nor was any time spent in trying
to ascertain, for every person had been detailed to some duty.
Neal and Teddy were given the lightest task, which was simply to watch
the hose at the place where it entered the deck, to make sure the water
flowed through freely, and the nozzle did not slip out.
Ten minutes after the alarm had been raised all hands were working
methodically, thanks to the discipline maintained by Mr. Walters, and it
became a question simply of whether the flames could be stifled or
drowned.
"Do you think they can save the yacht?" Teddy asked after a short time
of silence, and Neal, who had not seen the broad sheet of flame which
leaped from the hatch-way replied confidently:
"Of course. If the hold is filled with water she surely can't burn."
"Are there boats enough to carry us all in case the fire does get the
best of us?"
"Certainly; but it won't come to anything quite as bad as that."
Before Teddy could ask another question one of the stewards shouted down
the forward companion-way:
"Mr. Emery says that his son is to come on deck. There is no need of two
there."
Neal obeyed the summons thinking he was to assist at the pumps; but in
this he was speedily undeceived.
"Take such things as you are likely to need most from your state-room,
and stow them in one of the boats aft," his father said when he reported
for further duty. "Although I don't think we shall be obliged to abandon
the yacht, it is well to be prepared for any emergency."
This was no time to ask questions, and Neal obeyed at once, observing as
he entered the cabin that the stewards were collecting food and such
other things as might be needed in case they were forced to depend upon
the frail crafts.
This work rather than the evidences of fire in the hold, frightened
Neal. Until this moment he had not believed there was any possibility
the steamer could be destroyed while there were so many to assist in
saving her; but now there was no question as to the fact of their being
in great danger.
"Unless father and Mr. Walters were convinced that the fire had got
considerable headway, the boats would not be provisioned so soon," he
said to himself.
His portion of the work could be performed quickly. He and Teddy had
brought all their belongings, with the exception of the fowling pieces
and the fishing rods, aboard in two satchels, and these he packed with
the utmost expedition. Then, with both weapons, he went on deck, stowed
all the goods in the after port boat, and returned to his father's
state-room to see if anything could be done there.
From the disorder it was apparent that the stewards had been in this
apartment before him; but a fine rifle yet hung on the bulk-head, and in
the open locker was quite a large amount of ammunition.
"There's no reason why these cartridges shouldn't be taken if we are
obliged to leave the yacht," he said to himself as he gathered them into
convenient shape for carrying. "In case we land on a desolate island
they would be mighty useful."
When he went on deck with his second burden the stewards were putting
small kegs of water into each boat, and after stowing the ammunition by
the side of the first articles brought, he looked over the little craft
to ascertain what his father had thought best to save.
He could find nothing there; but on searching the starboard gig he
discovered a small quantity of wearing apparel.
"I wonder if that is the craft he intends to go in, or have the clothes
simply been thrown anywhere."
At that moment Mr. Emery came out of the pilot-house followed by Mr.
Walters, and Neal ran forward to ask which boat his father intended to
use in case the abandonment became necessary.
"It makes no particular difference," Mr. Emery replied in answer to
Neal's question. "We can easily arrange the details later. Go into the
engine-room and tell Jake to drive her at full speed, and to report if
the water we are pumping in is likely to rise as high as the furnaces."
Promising himself that he would re-stow the goods on the gig, putting
his father's with those belonging to himself and Teddy, as soon as this
message had been delivered, he descended the companion-way after
glancing rapidly around the horizon.
There was no land to be seen on either hand, and he understood at once
why the order to keep the yacht going at full speed had been given.
The small boats were by no means stanch enough to be depended on for a
long cruise unless the present dead calm should continue until they
could reach land, and every effort was to be made to gain some of the
islands in the vicinity.
When Neal entered the engine-room he believed for an instant that Jake
had not heard of the terrible danger which threatened. Work there was
going on as usual, except, perhaps, that the engineer and his assistants
were watching the machinery a trifle more carefully than seemed really
necessary; but when he repeated the message Jake's face grew just a
shade paler.
"Say to your father that we have got on every pound of steam that can be
raised, and it will be necessary to slow down presently because the
bearings are growing warm. The water is already above the fire-room
floors, and if the pump is worked an hour longer the fires will be
drowned."
"But you must keep her going, Jake. It would be terrible to take to the
boats when there was no land in sight."
"I'm bound to do my best; but a man can go only so far. Do you know
where we are?"
"No."
"What is being done on deck?"
"The sailors are pumping, and the stewards are provisioning the boats."
"Getting ready to abandon the little craft, are they?"
"Father said that was being done in order that we might be prepared for
any emergency."
"And he's got a pretty clear idea that the flames can't be kept under,
or else there wouldn't be a thought of such a thing. How's the weather?"
"A dead calm, as it was this morning."
Jake remained silent a few moments as if revolving some plan in his
mind, and then he said abruptly:
"Neal, if we do have to put off you and Teddy must try to go in the same
boat with me."
"Unless father makes different arrangements."
"Of course, of course; but if nothin' is said we'll stick together. Go
back an' say that the Sea Dream shall do her best until the water gets
above the fire-boxes, an' then my part of the work has been done."
Neal left the engine-room feeling that there was very little chance of
reaching any port in the yacht, and since there was no reason why he
should hurry on deck, he went around by the way of the galley where
Teddy was stationed.
"How are things going on here?" he asked, forcing himself to speak in a
cheerful tone. "Can you get any idea of the fire?"
"Put your hand on the deck," Teddy replied gravely, his face of a livid
white although big drops of perspiration were streaming down his cheeks.
Neal obeyed, and immediately drew his hand back with a cry of mingled
pain and fear.
The planks were already so hot that it seemed as if the flesh must be
burned.
"Has father been here within a few moments?"
"He has just left."
"Did he say anything?"
"Nothing except that I was to come on deck when it was so hot I couldn't
stand it any longer. Neal," and now Teddy spoke very earnestly, "you
laughed when I referred to the possibility that the yacht might be
destroyed; but I know your father thinks she cannot be saved."
"I believe now that he does; but I didn't when I left you. Everything is
ready for us to abandon her when nothing more can be done."
"Are we to go in the small boats?" asked Teddy, excitedly.
"It is the only chance we've got; but don't look so frightened," he
added, as Teddy's face grew yet paler. "It is calm, there's absolutely
no sea at all running, and we shall be as safe as on board the yacht."
"It will be horrible," Teddy whispered as if to himself, and Neal added:
"I'll tell father what Jake said, and then come straight back to stay
with you."
"Don't be away long. It seems as if I had been deserted, when there is
no one here."
Neal could not trust himself to speak. Ascending the companion-way
rapidly he approached his father who was conversing with Mr. Walters
near the bow, as if that position had been chosen to prevent the crew
from hearing what was said.
After repeating the engineer's message he asked:
"Can I go back where Teddy is? I think it frightens him to stay there
alone."
"I can't say that I wonder very much; it is a very trying situation for
a boy, especially one who has never been to sea before. Ask Jake if he
will send a man to relieve him and then you may both come on deck."
To deliver this message and return after one of the firemen took Teddy's
place at the nozzle, did not occupy five minutes, and the frightened boy
gave vent to a long sigh of relief when he was in the open air once
more.
Except for the heat the weather was perfect. The Sea Dream, showing no
sign of the monster which was gnawing at her vitals, save by the clouds
of smoke that ascended from the bow, dashed on like the thing of beauty
she was; but when her flight should be checked there would remain
nothing but the tiny boats to bear those on board to a place of safety.