"A little different from the usual, yes. The man said it was imported--" "Just as if that made it any better." "It doesn't--only different. Where did you get that rug? It's an odd pattern." "My! But the compliments are flying this morning. It's one daddy picked up somewhere. Isn't the weather glorious?" "Now we're on a safe topic," laughed Paul. "Here come Russ and Ruth. My, but she's stunning!" "I'm glad you appreciate her," Alice said. Really, Ruth made a picture, for she had on a long white cloak, and with a turban trimmed with ermine, and her fair hair and blue eyes, she looked like some Siberian princess, if they have princesses there, and I suppose they must. The four young people chatted and laughed together, while the _Tarsus_ plowed on her way. It was a day of idleness, save that Russ took a few pictures of scenes on shipboard for future use. In the afternoon, while Ruth and Alice were reclining luxuriously in their steamer chairs, they observed one of the officers come up from below, and run toward the bridge. There was something in his manner that startled Alice, and she sat up suddenly, exclaiming: "I hope nothing has happened!" "Happened? Why should it? What do you mean?" asked Ruth. But immediately a look of fear came into her own eyes--a look born of suggestion merely. "Oh, I don't know," and Alice tried to laugh, but it did not ring true. "It was just a notion--" She did not finish, for another officer came on the run from forward, and he, too, sought the bridge. Then the two girls saw curling up from one of the hatchways on the lower forward deck, a little wisp of smoke, and immediately afterward there sounded through the ship the clanging of bells. "What's that?" cried Ruth, casting aside her rug, and struggling to her feet, no easy matter from a steamer chair. "What's that?" "Some alarm," said Alice, faintly. Paul came running toward them. "Oh, what is it?" gasped Ruth, impulsively clasping him by the arm. "Don't be frightened," said Paul, but Alice noticed that his lips trembled a little. "It's only a--fire drill." As he spoke there was an outpouring of sailors from many places, and lines of hose were reeled out. The wisp of smoke from the forward hatchway had increased now, though the hatch cover was on. Up on the bridge the girls could see the captain leaving his post in charge of one of the officers. The ship, too, seemed to be turning about. "Are you sure it is only fire--_drill_?" asked Alice. "Why, that's what a sailor told me," answered Paul, slowly. "Look," said Alice, and she pointed to the curling smoke. More clanging bells resounded, and more lines of hose were run out. There was no doubt, now, that the _Tarsus_ was making a complete turn. Then, as the captain and one officer left the bridge there rang out the cry: "Fire! Fire! The ship's on fire! Lower the boats!" CHAPTER V DISABLED