"It's a fire somewhere," exclaimed Flagg. "Look! it's getting brighter."
"It comes from this ship," cried "Stump," edging toward the port. "Is it possible the old hooker is on fire?"
We waited for the ringing of the alarm bell, or the call to "fire quarters," but the minutes slipped by without the summons. Outside, the ruddy glare tinged the surface of the sea, sparkling from foam-crested waves, and forming a circle of dancing light through which the "Yankee" speeded on in her flight for safety.
Our curiosity increased apace, and we watched eagerly for passing messengers or for some stray word that would explain the peculiar phenomenon. It was Kennedy who finally solved the mystery—Kennedy the luckless, he whom we dubbed "Lucky Bag," because of his propensity to allow his wearing apparel to find its way into the clutches of "Jimmy Legs." Kennedy had slipped near the port and was trying to perform the difficult feat of scanning the upper deck from the opening.
"Come back here and stop that 'rubber-necking,' No. 7," called out Tommy. "Do you want to get on the report?"
"For the hundred and 'steenth time," added "Stump," with a grin.
"Perhaps he's seasick," suggested "Dye." "It's about due. He hasn't heaved up his boots since noon."
"Did you hear what 'Cutlets' said to him yesterday?" spoke up "Hay." "He was 'wigging' Kennedy, and he remarked in his tender way, 'Look here, you hero, why don't you brace up and be a man? You are continually sick or on the report, and you aren't worth your salt. Get down below now, and fill your billet.' Poor devil! he tries to do his best, I guess."
Just then Kennedy faced around toward us and we saw that he was laughing.
"What do you think?" he said. "It's a fire after all."