ut we are all forced to go on pumping to
extinguish the fire, and to a man we are getting exhausted."

"And you want food--breakfast?"

"That's it, my dear young lady; and if you could collect a few scraps
together for us--"

"It is all ready in the cabin next to the captain's."

"Hah! I might have known," cried the mate, taking Miss Denning's hand
to raise it to his lips. "God bless you for all you have done for us,
Miss Denning. If my little wife at home could only know everything, she
would be down on her knees praying for your safety. Look here, Mr
Denning, don't you be down-hearted. I can read you like a book, better
than the doctor. Half your complaint is worry about your sister here."

"Well," said Mr Denning with a faint smile, "suppose I grant that it
is."

"Why, then, you would be honest, that's all. Now don't you fidget about
her, for there are on board this ship six men--I was going to say and a
boy, but I can't, for that boy counts as a man in the spirit to do all
he can, so I shall say seven good men and true--who will do everything
they can to protect as sweet a young English lady as ever stepped.
There isn't one of us, from grim-looking Neb Dumlow or brown Bob Hampton
up to the doctor, who wouldn't cheerfully give his life to save her from
harm."

"Yes, yes," cried Mr Denning, with the weak tears in his eyes, "I
know."

"And I too," said Miss Denning, in a choking voice, "though I do not
know what I have done to deserve it."

"You don't?" cried Mr Brymer; "then I'll tell you, my dear. There, I
say it, and mean it. You have behaved like a true, sweet English lady
should, ever since you have been on board. Do you think, rough sailors
as we are, we haven't seen your devotion to your brother? Do you think
we haven't all loved you for your genuine patient English pluck all
through troubles that would have made scores of fine madams faint.
Here, I'm getting into a knot, instead of getting something to eat, and
going back to my work. Mr Denning, don't you fidget, sir. We'll pull
you through. And you, Miss Denning, if you'll go on seeing that the
poor fellows have a morsel now and then, we'll bless you a little more.
Come along, Dale, we must get back."

We hurried out, but I saw Miss Denning sink down on her knees sobbing by
her brother's side; and, as he put his left arm round her neck, he waved
his right hand to me.

"It's no use talking, Dale, my lad," said Mr Brymer huskily, "we