Roger, and Shadow, and also Ben
Basswood, who, as my old readers know, was one of Dave's old friends
from Crumville. With the boys went Mr. Lawrence. When embarking on this
trip, none of those on board had dreamed of the strenuous time now so
close at hand.

"I wonder how long it will take us to reach that vessel?" observed
Roger, after Mr. Lawrence had followed the captain.

"A quarter of an hour at least," replied Dave. "It will depend somewhat
on how much steam the firemen can get up. I don't believe we are running
at full speed now."

"This steamer used to be a pretty good boat," said Phil, "but she is
getting old now, and I heard dad say something about laying her up for
repairs next Fall."

"Wonder if we'll get a chance to do any rescue work," observed Ben.

"I guess we'll do all we can," returned Shadow.

"Look! Look!" cried Dave, pointing with his hand. "The smoke is getting
thicker than ever!"

"Maybe the poor people on that steamer will have to jump overboard
before we can reach them," said Phil. "A fire like that must be pretty
hot."

Soon the youths knew by the pounding of the engine that the _Eaglet_ was
running at increased speed. The course had been changed, and now the
craft was headed directly for the burning boat.

"She's a rather small affair, that's certain," remarked Roger.

"Looks to me as if she might be a pleasure boat," remarked Phil, who,
taking after his father, knew considerable about sea-going matters.
"She's a private steam yacht, to my way of thinking." And later on this
proved to be the case.

As the _Eaglet_ drew closer to the burning vessel, the boys saw that
there was great excitement on board the steam yacht. Sailors and others
were rushing to and fro over the deck, and two streams of water from
hoses were being directed to one part of the vessel, down a hatchway.
The smoke was as thick as ever, and sometimes, as the wind shifted, the
steam yacht was hidden entirely from view.

Fortunately the sea was comparatively calm, there being only a slight
breeze from the northeast. As the _Eaglet_ drew closer, the boys heard
Captain Bradley giving directions to some of the sailors to get ready to
launch two of the small boats.

"Dad, why can't we take another small boat and go out?" asked Phil of
his father. "We know how to row. We did lots of it on the river up at
Oak Hall."

"Very well," answered Mr. Lawrence. "But I want all of you to keep out
of danger."

Soon they wer