"It was the best you could give us," she said quietly. "But my brother sends me to say that he has had a long sleep, and that if he is helped to a chair on the upper deck with a night-glass, he could keep the watch himself, and easily give the alarm if it were necessary." "But he is not fit to leave alone, Miss Denning," said the doctor quickly. "He would not be alone, Mr Frewen," she replied gently. "I should share his watch." "And do you think, my dear child," cried Mr Brymer, "that we big strong men are going to lie down to sleep, and let you watch for us?" "Why not?" she said quietly. "You have all risked your lives to save us. It is the least we can do." "Yes," came in Mr Denning's sharp voice; "we shall keep this watch together, I am strong enough for that. Nothing shall approach the ship, Mr Brymer, without your having warning." "He is quite right, Brymer," said a fresh debater in a faint voice, as no less a person than the captain joined in the discussion. "You are all worn-out. We sick folk have sharp ears, and will keep them well opened." "I--I really hardly know what to say," said Mr Brymer. I did, for I suddenly started from the spot where I stood, after sniffing suspiciously two or three times, shouting--"Fire!--fire!" For the enemy had evidently been at work insidiously, and had burst its water-chains, and leaped up to attack us again. We all made a rush for the pump and hose, for the smell of burning was stronger as we reached the steaming hold, I being first. But I felt puzzled, for the steam was dense as ever, and I could only smell the dank, unpleasant, hydrogenous odour of decomposed water, while the smell which had reached the companion-way had been the fresh, sharp, pungent scent of burning wood. The next moment, though, I saw where the danger was, and shouted-- "The galley--the galley!" We all ran round to the door, for smoke was issuing from the wooden building freely, and a dull light shone out on to the darkness. Then I burst out in astonishment-- "What, Dumlow! You here?" "Ay, ay, sir. Practysing up. I got it now, and go ahead to-morrow morning. Stove bothered me a bit at first, but I can work her, and there'll be hot water and coffee for braxfast in the morning, and soup and taters for dinner. Cooking's easy enough when you knows how." There was a roar of laughter at this. "Ah, you may laugh, all on you, I don't keer. This won't hurt my leg, will it, doctor?" "No; you can go on with that," replied Mr Frewen; "but keep seated all you can." "Toe be sure, sir. I've often seen the cook sitting down to peel the taters and stir the soup." "Well, let that fire out now, and get some rest," said Mr Brymer. "You startled us all."