nd let the bale fall back into place. "This is getting pretty
warm. I wonder what's the matter with the water?"

Hardly had he spoken than a stream came spurting into the hold,
drenching them both. It also drenched the fire, and, in a few minutes,
the last vestige of the blaze was out.

"Good work, men!" complimented Captain Marshall, when he had assured
himself there was no more danger. "You did well. I'm proud of you."

Nat, who had been taken in charge by the purser, when it was found
there was no danger of the fire spreading, was examined by that
official. Nothing was found the matter with him, beyond a sore spot on
his head where the bale had hit him.

"How in the world did it happen?" asked Mr. Dunn, as the crew began
reeling up the hose, and returning to their various duties. Nat told
him about hearing the noise, and the bale falling.

"Do you think it fell, or did some one shove it?" asked the purser.

"I don't know. It seemed as if some one pushed it, but who could it
be? What object would any one have in trying to hurt me?"

"I don't know, I'm sure. You must report this to Captain Marshall,"
said the purser. "He'll want to know all about it."

There was no need of going to the captain's cabin, however, for he
came to find Nat, as soon as the excitement caused by the fire had
subsided.

"Now tell me all about it," he said. "Every bit. Were you smoking down
there?"

"No, sir," replied Nat indignantly.

He related all that had taken place, and the captain had every member
of the crew questioned, as to whether or not they had been in the hold
at the time. They all denied it.

"Maybe it was because the bale wasn't stowed away level," suggested
Mr. Bumstead, with a queer look at Nat, as our hero, together with the
purser and the pilot were in Captain Marshall's cabin, discussing the
occurrence.

"That's possible," admitted Mr. Dunn. "But what made the noise?"

"Rats, probably," replied the mate. "There are some whoppers down in
that hold."

"Would you say they were large enough to topple over that bale?" asked
the pilot suddenly.

"No--no--I don't know as I would," answered the mate. "Of course not.
More likely the lurch of the vessel did it."

"Well, it was lucky it was no worse," spoke the captain. "If that
lantern had exploded, and the blazing oil had been scattered about,
there would have been a different ending to this. Nat would probably
be dead, and the ship a wreck. After this no lanter