“But a nasty one, I take it,” put in the purser, who stood near.
“Why don’t the men go below and try to locate the flames?” asked Oliver, as he noted that no one went below decks.
“Sailors have too much horror of fire,” responded Mr. Whyland; “and Captain Morris’s place is here on deck.”
“They might do a good deal more good by going below,” put in Gus.
Meanwhile the fire began to spread towards the stern. All the sailors began to shake their heads, and several said it would be better to spend the time in getting ready to leave the steamer.
“Leave the ship!” exclaimed Captain Morris. “Leave the Polly Eliza! Not much! If I wasn’t so old and asthmatic I’d go down into the hold myself.”
Oliver stood for a moment in meditation.
“Let me go down,” he said suddenly. “If somebody don’t go the ship may burn up and we’ll all go to the bottom. If I can’t do any good I’ll come up at once.”
And without waiting for a reply, Oliver hurried towards the partly closed hatchway.