in order that we might be prepared for
any 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 his
mind, and then he said abruptly:

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

"Unless father makes different arrangements."

"Of course, of course; but if nothin' is said we'll stick together. Go
back an' say that the Sea Dream shall do her best until the water gets
above 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 of
reaching any port in the yacht, and since there was no reason why he
should hurry on deck, he went around by the way of the galley where
Teddy was stationed.

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

"Put your hand on the deck," Teddy replied gravely, his face of a livid
white although big drops of perspiration were streaming down his cheeks.

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

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

"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't
stand it any longer. Neal," and now Teddy spoke very earnestly, "you
laughed when I referred to the possibility that the yacht might be
destroyed; 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 is
ready 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," he
added, as Teddy's face grew yet paler. "It is calm, there's absolutely
no 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 stay
with you."

"Don't be away long. It seems as if I had been deserted, when there is
no one here."

Neal could not trust himself to speak. Ascending the companion-way
ra