“I shall never forget the service,” put in the captain heartily; “I don’t know what I would have done had the Polly Eliza been burned. She has been my home for so many years.”
A little later a number of the sailors went below, and under directions from the purser, made a thorough search of the hold. It was thought every spark of fire had been extinguished; but to make doubly sure two of the men were told to remain on guard for the balance of the night and all the next day.
“Then I suppose we might as well go to bed again,” said Gus who, now that the excitement was over, began to feel sleepy.
“Yes; there is no further danger,” returned Captain Morris. “To-morrow I will hold a strict investigation as to the cause of the fire. If I find any of the men are to blame, they shall pay the penalty, I can tell you.”
Mr. Whyland went below, and Oliver followed Gus to their stateroom. Both undressed and turned in, but it was nearly daylight before either of them dropped asleep.
Oliver was the first to awaken. He turned to his friend and found the stout youth tossing and mumbling uneasily to himself.
“Fire! Save me! save me!” mumbled Gus.
Oliver gave him a vigorous shaking, and the stout youth sat up and rubbed his eyes.
“Where—where?” he stammered. “Thank goodness it was only a dream! I thought I was down in the hole, burning up.”