all right below,
sleepin' in the corner of the sofy, and I'd advise you to go and rouse
him up, instead of rushing up har like a mad bull in fly time, a
knocking folks down and hollerin'."

Mrs Major Negus took his advice; for, without withering up the American
with her scorn, as she would probably have done another time, she at
once rushed back below to the cuddy as quickly as she had come up, to
wake up Maurice; while Kate Meldrum, seizing the opportunity which the
diversion afforded, sidled up to Frank Harness unperceived.

"Is there any danger really?" she asked the young sailor in a low tone,
so that no one else could hear; and her face was pale, but composed and
resolute, as she looked into his.

"Could you bear to be told the truth?" said he hesitatingly.

"I could," she replied; and he saw that she meant it.

"Well, there certainly is danger, although it is best not to alarm
everybody, for when people get frightened they interfere and hinder what
is being done to save them. I wouldn't like to tell the crew, Miss
Meldrum, what I tell you; but I know you are brave, and see that you can
bear to be told the truth. A lot of woollen goods are on fire in the
main hold, and must, from the extent of the area already consumed, have
been smouldering for days. We are doing all that men can do to quench
it, and we may succeed, as there is no wind and nothing to fan the
flames; but the only thing that hinders us is our being unable to get to
the seat of the mischief, which is in the very centre of the cargo.
However, the men are now breaking in the deck above, and as soon as we
are able to get the end of the hose down and pass buckets, all may be
well. Keep a good heart, Miss Meldrum, there's no absolute danger yet;
when there is I will tell you. So, please, prevent that `Mrs Major'
from going into hysterics!"

"I will, for I trust you," said Kate with a somewhat sad smile on her
pale face. "Here, Florry, come below away from the smoke and sparks;
Mr Harness says the fire will soon be out and that there is no danger,
and I don't want you to spoil your new frock!"

So courageously speaking, the brave girl then went below with her
sister; and by her presence and example assuaged "the Major's" fears,
thus preventing that lady from going back on deck and spreading
consternation amongst the crew by her cries, as would otherwise have
been the case. Mr Zachariah Lathrope, too, came down to the cuddy,
attracted by the