him, Sam, I got enough."

"No, no, Hans, I won't deprive you of the pleasure of shooting it
off," answered the youngest Rover, and skipped out of the way.

One after another the balls, red, white and blue, poured from the
Roman candle. It was a pretty sight, but Hans' aim was more than bad,
and one hit the bow and another the stern, while a third whizzed past
Dick's ear. In the meantime Hans was hopping around like a madman,
trying to keep the sparks from his skin.

"Throw it overboard!" cried Mr. Rover, who was enjoying the fun, but
who was afraid somebody might get a fire ball in the face.

"Only a few more balls left," said Tom. "Hans, try to hit the top of
the mast don't point it downward."

The German youth was too excited to listen to the advice. He continued
to dance around. Bang! went another ball and entered the cabin of the
steam yacht. Bang! came the final one and that too disappeared into
the interior of the craft. Then the Roman candle went out, and Hans
breathed a sigh of relief.

"I vos glat dot is ofer," he said. "No more firevorks for me, not on
your kollarbuttons, no!"

"I hope they didn't do any damage in the cabin--" began Mrs. Stanhope
anxiously, when there came a cry from Aleck Pop.

"Stop dat fire from comin' down!" yelled the colored man. "De hull
cabin's in a blaze!"

CHAPTER XV

THE SAILING OF THE STEAM YACHT

The announcement made by Aleck Pop filled all on board the steam yacht
with consternation, and while Hans still nursed his arm and wrist the
other boys, with Anderson Rover and Captain Barforth, rushed down the
companionway.

A glance showed them what was the matter. One of the balls of fire had
struck a curtain and ignited the flimsy material. The fire was now
dropping down on some fireworks Tom had left on a chair. Just as they
entered a pinwheel, lying flat, began to fizz, sending a shower of
sparks across the other pieces.

"Quick! out with that stuff!" cried Anderson Rover and sent the
pinwheel flying into a corner with his hand. Then he stepped on it,
putting out the fire.

In the meantime, Dick and Sam pulled down the burning curtain and
stamped on that. The others scattered the fireworks and saw to it that
not a spark remained in the cabin.

"A close call!" murmured Captain Barforth, when the excitement was
over. "It is lucky we got down here so soon."

"I was thinkin' de hull ship was gwine ter bust up!" said Aleck, with
a shiver. "Dis chile knows j