The fighting of the fire still went on, though little of it could be
observed now. There were no flames to be seen, but doubtless, down in the
hold, where the cargo burned, there were angry, red tongues of fire. But
the compartment was kept closed. It was now nearly full of water, the
captain reported, and the fire must soon be extinguished.
"Unless it has crept to another compartment," ventured Mr. Sneed.
"Hush! Don't let anyone hear you say such things!" cried Russ,
indignantly.
Dinner was not a very cheerful meal, but all managed to eat something.
And the night was an uneasy one. What sleep there was came only in
catnaps, for there was the constant noise of the pumps, and the running
about of the sailors on the decks.
The _Tarsus_ was still motionless, save only as she rolled with the sea,
which was still calm. Captain Falcon found that to proceed would be to
drive the smoke aft into the cabins, and he did not want to do this. So
he had the main engines shut down.
Through the night the fire was fought, and in the morning it was a gray
and haggard captain who faced the anxious group of passengers gathered in
the main saloon.
"What is the report?" asked Mr. Pertell.
"Not very encouraging," was the answer. "We are now disabled, and the
fire is still burning."
CHAPTER VI
BY WIRELESS
For a moment no one spoke, after the portentous words of Captain Falcon.
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