Part 6 (1/2)
”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.
CHAPTER VI.
THE LAST RESORT.
Mr. Emery and the sailing master had decided that the yacht should be kept at full speed, headed for the nearest land, until the water which was being pumped into the hold drowned the fires in the furnaces, when recourse must necessarily be had to the boats.
There could no longer be any question but that the entire forward portion of the hold was a ma.s.s of flames which it would not be possible to hold in check very much longer.
By this time all on board understood that the yacht was to be abandoned, and, with the exception of those in the engine-room and at the pumps, every one gazed as if fascinated at the clouds of smoke arising from near the bow. Already were tiny curls coming from between the deck planks, and Teddy heard Mr. Walters say in a low tone to Neal's father: