engaged in fighting the fire. "Man the falls, and stand by to lower the
boats!"

"Oh, must we really go in those little things?" cried Miss Pennington, as
she heard this.

"Certainly," answered Russ, who was near her. "You wouldn't expect to
swim; would you?"

"Horrid thing!" snapped the actress. "Come, Laura. Don't leave me. I'm so
frightened!"

"So am I," declared her companion. "It's awful!"

"Their fright hasn't made them pale, at any rate," whispered Alice.
"They've taken on color, lately."

"Oh, my dear, you mustn't say such things," chided Ruth.

The work of getting the passengers and their baggage into the boats was
soon under way. There was some confusion, not a little evidence of fright
on the part of many, and some tears. But among the bravest were little
Tommie and Nellie. They thought it all a lark, and probably, in their
case, it was the bliss of ignorance.

Russ, who had been standing near Ruth and Alice, suddenly started for his
stateroom.

"Where are you going?" asked Ruth, as the call came for them to take
their places in a boat.