"Easily said; but what's the matter?" asked Frederick.
"One of the bearings got too hot. It takes time for it to cool off."
The passengers crowded on the companionway kept calling for the captain.
"The captain has other things to do than answer silly questions," said Wilhelm.
"I think the people should be quieted and given an explanation," Frederick declared. "To me a certain amount of fear seems justifiable in the landlubber, who doesn't know anything of nautical matters and hasn't the least notion of what is happening."
"Why should they be told anything?" rejoined Wilhelm. "Even if matters are very bad, it is advisable to deceive them."
"Well, then," said Hahlström, "deceive them. Send stewards around to tell them everything is all right and we'll have to drown."
Shortly afterward, the captain actually did send the little army of stewards through the vessel to inform the passengers that, as Doctor Wilhelm had said, one of the bearings had got too hot, and in a short while the engines would be working again.
"Is there danger?" the stewards were asked a thousand times.
"No," was the decided answer.