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.