There was a small step-ladder at hand, and getting the sailors to help him put this down, Oliver took a deep breath and quickly descended into the hold.
“There’s bravery for you!” exclaimed Captain Morris. “I should think this would make some of you feel mighty cheap,” he added to the men.
It was indeed a bold thing to do. The hold was one mass of thick, stifling smoke, and breathing down there was next to impossible.
As soon as Oliver reached the bottom he dropped on his hands and knees. Dragging the nozzle of the hose behind him, he crawled rapidly to the spot where the flames arose.
A minute later and he was right beside the fire. He saw that it was confined to some loose waste, as Mr. Whyland had said, and also to half a dozen bales of cloth stored close at hand.
By the time Oliver had made this discovery his eyes were all but blinded, and his head swam as it never had before.
“I’ll fix this pipe fast so the water will pour right on the fire,” he thought; “then there will be no use in staying.”
After some little difficulty this was done. The effects of the water pouring directly on the flames told at once. But the smoke became thicker than ever, and Oliver hurried to the hatchway.
As soon as he appeared in the opening he was hauled out. He was so weak he could not stand. He sank in a heap on a seat.