"Very good," assented Mr. Pertell. "I am sorry this has occurred, but perhaps it is best that we leave the ship."
"It will be better for your peace of mind, though really I think we can conquer the fire," the captain went on. "But we are disabled, and may not be able to proceed for some time."
"What are you going to do when we are gone?" asked Alice, who, with Ruth, had recovered some of her equanimity by this time. "Are you coming with us, Captain Falcon—you and your sailors?"
"I am going to stick by the ship!" he answered, and there was a proud ring in his voice. "I believe I can save her, and then we'll make repairs, and get to port under our own steam. I want to save the owners salvage, if I can."
"There speaks a brave man," murmured Mr. DeVere. "And there are many such unknown, who are going down the sea in ships every day. A brave man!"
"Man the falls!" ordered Captain Falcon to those sailors who were not engaged in fighting the fire. "Man the falls, and stand by to lower the boats!"
"Oh, must we really go in those little things?" cried Miss Pennington, as she heard this.
"Certainly," answered Russ, who was near her. "You wouldn't expect to swim; would you?"
"Horrid thing!" snapped the actress. "Come, Laura. Don't leave me. I'm so frightened!"
"So am I," declared her companion. "It's awful!"