"You are right, my lad," he replied warmly. "I ought to have thought of that too. Go and tell Mr and Miss Denning that the danger is at an end." I hurried off, and mounted to the poop, where Mr Denning sat in his chair, well wrapped in a plaid; and as I approached, Miss Denning's voice asked quickly--"Who is that?" "Dale, Miss Denning. I've come to tell you that the fire is mastered again." I heard her utter a deep sigh, and I believe she began to cry, but it was too dark to see her face. "How long had it been burning when you whistled?" I asked. "Not a minute," said Miss Denning. "We were watching the setting of one of the stars, when all at once there was a dull report somewhere in the hold, and in an instant there was a flash, and great volumes of fire and smoke began to roll up." "But it was only lit-up steam," I said, talking as one experienced in such matters. "Then there is no more danger?" said Mr Denning. "No, I think not--at present." "Why do you say at present?" cried Miss Denning, eagerly; and she caught my arm. "Don't say anything to frighten her, Dale," said Mr Denning; "she is half-hysterical now." "Indeed no, John dear; I am quite calm. Tell us, Alison. It is better to know the worst." "I only meant," I said hastily, "that there is sure to be some fire left smouldering below, where the water will not reach it, and it may break out again two or three times--just a little, that's all. But we shall watch it better now. No, no," I cried, "I don't mean that; because no one could have watched better than you did." "Starboard watch, ahoy!" cried Mr Brymer, cheerily. "How are you, Miss Denning?" but before she could reply the mate was up with us. "Thank you for keeping watch so well. Any idea what time it is?--we hadn't been asleep long, I suppose." Mr Denning uttered a little laugh. "It must be close upon morning," he said. "Morning? Impossible! What do you say, Miss Denning?" "I think it must be very near day," she replied. "It is many hours since you left us." "And gone like that!" cried the mate in astonishment. "Ahoy there, Mr Frewen, Preddle," he shouted, "what time should you think it is?" "My watch is not going," replied Mr Frewen; "but I should say it is about midnight." "Oh no," cried Mr Preddle, in his highly-pitched voice; "about eleven at the outside. Do you think we may venture to lie down again?" "Almost a pity, isn't it," said the mate, merrily. "Look yonder-- there--right astern." "Yes?" said Mr Frewen. "What is that? The moon about to rise?" "Say sun, and you will be right," cried Mr Brymer. "Go and lie down if you like, gentlemen; but look yonder too; there is a fleck of orange high up. For my part, I propose a good breakfast." "No, no, you cannot be right," said Mr Frewen, from the main-deck; "but we'll take our watch now. Mr Denning, will you and your sister go and take yours below?" "No, not yet," said Mr Denning.