ace of time Mr.
Walters came from the wheel-house in response to Neal's emphatic
request.

To Teddy it seemed as if but an instant elapsed before the deck was a
scene of confusion, and as all hands were called for duty he heard one
of the sailors cry in a tone of alarm:

"Tumble up, boys, the yacht is on fire!"

CHAPTER V.

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 surel