The Search for the Silver City: A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan

by James Otis

  CHAPTER V.

  FIGHTING THE FLAMES.

  It was some moments after the fire was discovered before anything couldbe done toward checking the flames, for the very good reason that theexact location remained a mystery until a visit had been paid to thehold.

  The cook said the galley felt unusually warm; but he paid no particularattention to the fact, thinking the weather had grown hotter, and, savefor 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 theeyes of the yacht directly beneath the kitchen.

  Instantly this was done a broad sheet of flame burst forth, and had thestout covering not been replaced immediately, the little craft wouldhave soon been consumed.

  Working with all speed, for even the seconds were precious now, thehatch was battened down, and a hole large enough to admit of the nozzleof the hose, bored just abaft the hatch-way.

  While this was being done a portion of the crew had been getting intoworking order the hose used for washing down the decks, and when all wasready the real task of extinguishing the flames began.

  A steady stream of water was forced into the hold as rapidly as the mencould work the pumps, and the lower deck examined carefully for theslightest aperture which might admit air.

  How the fire had started no one knew, nor was any time spent in tryingto ascertain, for every person had been detailed to some duty.

  Neal and Teddy were given the lightest task, which was simply to watchthe hose at the place where it entered the deck, to make sure the waterflowed through freely, and the nozzle did not slip out.

  Ten minutes after the alarm had been raised all hands were workingmethodically, thanks to the discipline maintained by Mr. Walters, and itbecame a question simply of whether the flames could be stifled ordrowned.

  "Do you think they can save the yacht?" Teddy asked after a short timeof silence, and Neal, who had not seen the broad sheet of flame whichleaped 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 thebest 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 downthe forward companion-way:

  "Mr. Emery says that his son is to come on deck. There is no need of twothere."

  Neal obeyed the summons thinking he was to assist at the pumps; but inthis 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 reportedfor further duty. "Although I don't think we shall be obliged to abandonthe yacht, it is well to be prepared for any emergency."

  This was no time to ask questions, and Neal obeyed at once, observing ashe entered the cabin that the stewards were collecting food and suchother things as might be needed in case they were forced to depend uponthe frail crafts.

  This work rather than the evidences of fire in the hold, frightenedNeal. Until this moment he had not believed there was any possibilitythe steamer could be destroyed while there were so many to assist insaving her; but now there was no question as to the fact of their beingin great danger.

  "Unless father and Mr. Walters were convinced that the fire had gotconsiderable headway, the boats would not be provisioned so soon," hesaid to himself.

  His portion of the work could be performed quickly. He and Teddy hadbrought all their belongings, with the exception of the fowling piecesand the fishing rods, aboard in two satchels, and these he packed withthe utmost expedition. Then, with both weapons, he went on deck, stowedall the goods in the after port boat, and returned to his father'sstate-room to see if anything could be done there.

  From the disorder it was apparent that the stewards had been in thisapartment before him; but a fine rifle yet hung on the bulk-head, and inthe open locker was quite a large amount of ammunition.

  "There's no reason why these cartridges shouldn't be taken if we areobliged to leave the yacht," he said to himself as he gathered them intoconvenient shape for carrying. "In case we land on a desolate islandthey would be mighty useful."

  When he went on deck with his second burden the stewards were puttingsmall kegs of water into each boat, and after stowing the ammunition bythe side of the first articles brought, he looked over the little craftto ascertain what his father had thought best to save.

  He could find nothing there; but on searching the starboard gig hediscovered a small quantity of wearing apparel.

  "I wonder if that is the craft he intends to go in, or have the clothessimply 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 touse in case the abandonment became necessary.

  "It makes no particular difference," Mr. Emery replied in answer toNeal's question. "We can easily arrange the details later. Go into theengine-room and tell Jake to drive her at full speed, and to report ifthe 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, puttinghis father's with those belonging to himself and Teddy, as soon as thismessage had been delivered, he descended the companion-way afterglancing rapidly around the horizon.

  There was no land to be seen on either hand, and he understood at oncewhy 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 along cruise unless the present dead calm should continue until theycould reach land, and every effort was to be made to gain some of theislands in the vicinity.

  When Neal entered the engine-room he believed for an instant that Jakehad not heard of the terrible danger which threatened. Work there wasgoing on as usual, except, perhaps, that the engineer and his assistantswere watching the machinery a trifle more carefully than seemed reallynecessary; but when he repeated the message Jake's face grew just ashade paler.

  "Say to your father that we have got on every pound of steam that can beraised, and it will be necessary to slow down presently because thebearings are growing warm. The water is already above the fire-roomfloors, and if the pump is worked an hour longer the fires will bedrowned."

  "But you must keep her going, Jake. It would be terrible to take to theboats when there was no land in sight."

  "I'm bound to do my best; but a man can go only so far. Do you knowwhere 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 forany 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 hismind, and then he said abruptly:

  "Neal, if we do have to put off you and Teddy must try to go in the sameboat with me."

  "Unless father makes different arrangements."

  "Of course, of course; but if nothin' is said we'll stick together. Goback an' say that the Sea Dream shall do her best until the water getsabove 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 ofreaching any port in the yacht, and since there was no reason why heshould hurry on deck, he went around by the way of the galley whereTeddy was stationed.

  "How are things going on here?" he asked, forcing himself to speak in acheerful tone. "Can you get any idea of the fire?"

  "Put your hand on the deck," Teddy replied gravely, his face of a lividwhite although big drops of perspiration wer
e streaming down his cheeks.

  Neal obeyed, and immediately drew his hand back with a cry of mingledpain and fear.

  The planks were already so hot that it seemed as if the flesh must beburned.

  "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'tstand it any longer. Neal," and now Teddy spoke very earnestly, "youlaughed when I referred to the possibility that the yacht might bedestroyed; 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 isready 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," headded, as Teddy's face grew yet paler. "It is calm, there's absolutelyno 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 staywith you."

  "Don't be away long. It seems as if I had been deserted, when there isno one here."

  Neal could not trust himself to speak. Ascending the companion-wayrapidly he approached his father who was conversing with Mr. Waltersnear the bow, as if that position had been chosen to prevent the crewfrom 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 therealone."

  "I can't say that I wonder very much; it is a very trying situation fora boy, especially one who has never been to sea before. Ask Jake if hewill 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'splace at the nozzle, did not occupy five minutes, and the frightened boygave vent to a long sigh of relief when he was in the open air oncemore.

  Except for the heat the weather was perfect. The Sea Dream, showing nosign of the monster which was gnawing at her vitals, save by the cloudsof smoke that ascended from the bow, dashed on like the thing of beautyshe was; but when her flight should be checked there would remainnothing but the tiny boats to bear those on board to a place of safety.