The usual morning greetings were exchanged, and Walter's question remained unanswered.
The gentlemen were out nearly all day, riding or driving; the ladies with them a part of the time. The evening was enlivened with music and conversation, and all retired to rest at a seasonable hour; the two guests expecting to take leave of their hospitable entertainers the next morning.
Darkness and silence reigned for some hours, then the shining of a bright light into Donald's eyes awoke him.
He sprang from his bed, rushed to the window, saw that a cottage not far away, which he had noticed in riding by, was in flames. The next moment he had snatched up a few articles of clothing and was at the captain's side shaking him vigorously.
"Up, Raymond! up, man! There's a fire and we'll be needed to help put it out."
"What is it? breakers ahead, do you say?'" muttered the captain, only half awake.
"Fire! fire!" repeated Keith.
"Fire? where?" and the captain sprang up, now wide awake, and began hurrying on his clothes.
"That cottage down the road."
"That's bad indeed; but not quite so bad as a vessel foundering or burning at sea. Anybody else in the house awake?"