y can't burn."

"Are there boats enough to carry us all in case the fire does get the
best 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 down
the forward companion-way:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When he went on deck with his second burden the stewards were putting
small kegs of water into each boat, and after stowing the ammunition by
the side of the first articles brought, he loo