BY WIRELESS
For a moment no one spoke, after the portentous words of Captain Falcon. Men and women looked at each other. The members of the moving picture company glanced from face to face. What would come next?
"Does this mean—does it indicate that we are to take to the boats?" asked Mr. DeVere, solemnly.
"Not necessarily," the captain replied. "I have come to put the matter plainly to you. The fire gained, in the night, and it reached the engine room compartment. We are, therefore, temporarily disabled, and cannot proceed, as we could have done had not this occurred. For we had the first blaze out.
"Now, those who wish will be put into life boats, with such of their belongings as it is practicable to take with them."
"What is the other alternative?" asked Mr. Pertell, as the captain paused, thus indicating that he had another proposition to make.
"The second question is—Will you wait for the Bell to come up? She is within about fifty miles of us, I should judge, and can reach us inside of three hours."
"In the meanwhile—the fire may gain?" suggested Mr. Sneed in gloomy tones.
"It may—yes. It probably will, if it reaches the coal bunkers. That is what I am afraid of, and why I speak thus plainly."
"Then I'm going to take to a boat!" exclaimed the "grouch."