It looked as if the _Swallow_ and all on board of her were doomed! CHAPTER XXVI THE BATTLE OF THE FISHES "Fire! fire! fire!" This cry, echoing throughout the _Swallow_, is the most dreadful that sailors on the high seas know. What hope is there for those on board of a ship going down in mid-ocean, thousands of miles from land? "We must put out that fire!" came from Captain Broadbeam. "Man the fire hose and send word to the engine room to turn on the water!" His orders were obeyed as quickly as possible. Yet everything takes time, and before the hose could be brought into play the cook's galley was a mass of flames from beginning to end. The wind was blowing the sparks directly forward, so the captain had the ship swung round, that the fire might be carried largely over the side. A bucket corps was formed and they, too, poured all the water possible on the conflagration. It was fierce, hot work, and for some time it looked as if the fire would get the best of the workers and destroy the _Swallow_. Small wonder then that Amos Fearless and Dave were for the time being forgotten. Ten minutes went by--twenty minutes--and both began to grow desperate. "We must perish!" groaned Dave. Amos Fearless shook his head, dismally. Both became too weak to stand up, and sank on the floor of the diving bell. The air was now stale and made them sleepy. Gradually Dave's eyes closed. He tried to arouse himself, but the effort was a failure. It was the beginning of the sleep of death, and the young diver knew it! He caught his father's hand and a warm grasp was exchanged in silence. After that all became as a dream to the young diver. He thought he was out in the ocean and that numerous fierce fish were swimming close to him. Then one large fish swallowed him and he found himself cut off from all air. He fought desperately and at last cut a hole in the fish's side and stepped out into the upper world. Oh, how good the fresh air tasted. He filled his lungs and took breath after breath--and then---- Dave opened his eyes and stared vacantly around him. He was on the deck of the _Swallow_ and Doctor Barrell was bending over him, a look of deep anxiety on the kindly face. "Dave, how do you feel now?" came in anxious tones. "Can you breathe?" He could not answer excepting to take a long breath; but he now understood the situation. He had been hauled up to the _Swallow's_ deck and was saved! Then of a sudden he became unconscious again. Quarter of an hour later Dave found himself sitting up and swallowing some medicine Doctor Barrell was forcing into his mouth. He still felt very weak, and when he tried to stand, all swam before his eyes. "You must keep quiet, lad," said the doctor. "You have had a narrow escape from death." "My father----" began Dave. He could say no more. "He was brought up with you, of course." "And is he--is he----"