pidly 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 mass 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:

"I am afraid the flames will burst through before the furnaces are
flooded. It is too late to cut another hole in the deck, and by an hour
at the latest we must take to the boats."

"Have the crew been told off?"

"I will attend to that now."

Then the sailing master announced to each man the boat to which he was
assigned, and during the next hour hardly a word was spoken. Teddy and
Neal conversed now and then in whispers, as if not daring to make a
noise, and the sailors worked in grim silence.

Nothing save the clank of the pumps