om the water, swung it through the air, and
deposited it here where it belongs. It is a Titan's task."

"And they made themselves many inventions," I began merrily, then paused
to sniff the air.

I looked hastily at the lantern. It was not smoking. Again I sniffed.

"Something is burning," Maud said, with sudden conviction.

We sprang together for the ladder, but I raced past her to the deck. A
dense volume of smoke was pouring out of the steerage companion-way.

"The Wolf is not yet dead," I muttered to myself as I sprang down through
the smoke.

It was so thick in the confined space that I was compelled to feel my
way; and so potent was the spell of Wolf Larsen on my imagination, I was
quite prepared for the helpless giant to grip my neck in a strangle hold.
I hesitated, the desire to race back and up the steps to the deck almost
overpowering me. Then I recollected Maud. The vision of her, as I had
last seen her, in the lantern light of the schooner's hold, her brown
eyes warm and moist with joy, flashed before me, and I knew that I could
not go back.

I was choking and suffocating by the time I reached Wolf Larsen's bunk.
I reached my hand and felt for his. He was lying motionless, but moved
slightly at the touch of my hand. I felt over and under his blankets.
There was no warmth, no sign of fire. Yet that smoke which blinded me
and made me cough and gasp must have a source. I lost my head
temporarily and dashed frantically about the steerage. A collision with
the table partially knocked the wind from my body and brought me to
myself. I reasoned that a helpless man could start a fire only near to
where he lay.

I returned to Wolf Larsen's bunk. There I encountered Maud. How long
she had been there in that suffocating atmosphere I could not guess.

"Go up on deck!" I commanded peremptorily.

"But, Humphrey--" she began to protest in a queer, husky voice.

"Please! please!" I shouted at her harshly.

She drew away obediently, and then I thought, What if she cannot find the
steps? I started after her, to stop at the foot of the companion-way.
Perhaps she had gone up. As I stood there, hesitant, I heard her cry
softly:

"Oh, Humphrey, I am lost."

I found her fumbling at the wall of the after bulkhead, and, half leading
her, half carrying her, I took her up the companion-way. The pure air
was like nectar. Maud was only faint and dizzy, and I left her lying on
the deck when I took my sec