"How are things going on here?" he asked, forcing himself to speak in a cheerful tone. "Can you get any idea of the fire?"
"Put your hand on the deck," Teddy replied gravely, his face of a livid white although big drops of perspiration were streaming down his cheeks.
Neal obeyed, and immediately drew his hand back with a cry of mingled pain and fear.
The planks were already so hot that it seemed as if the flesh must be burned.
"Has father been here within a few moments?"
"He has just left."
"Did he say anything?"
"Nothing except that I was to come on deck when it was so hot I couldn't stand it any longer. Neal," and now Teddy spoke very earnestly, "you laughed when I referred to the possibility that the yacht might be destroyed; but I know your father thinks she cannot be saved."
"I believe now that he does; but I didn't when I left you. Everything is ready for us to abandon her when nothing more can be done."
"Are we to go in the small boats?" asked Teddy, excitedly.