“Que diable! I feel like the rat in the trap,” said Count Edouard, suppressed excitement rendering his English less fluent.
At another time the phrase would have sent a ripple of amusement through that cheery company. Now, no one smiled. They knew too well what he meant to pay heed to the mere form of his words. No matter how large or sumptuously equipped the trap, the point of view of the rat was new to them.
CHAPTER III.
WHEREIN THE CAPTAIN REAPPEARS
The fierce hissing of the continuous escape of steam excited alarm in those not accustomed to machinery. Men and women share the unreasoning panic of animals when an unknown force reveals its pent-up fury. They forget that safety-valves are provided, that diminished pressure means less risk; the knowledge that restraint, not freedom, is dangerous comes ever in the guise of a new discovery.
The mining engineers, of course, did not share this delusion.
“There must be something serious the matter, or they would not be wasting power like that,” murmured the American to one of his fellow-professionals.
“A smash-up in the engine-room. Nada es mas seguro,”[[1]] was the answer.
[1] Nothing is more certain.
“Wonder if any one is hurt?”
The Spaniard bent a little nearer. “What can you expect?” he whispered sympathetically.