As the two lads watched, the smoke became blacker, and the cloud it formed grew much larger.
"They're burning a lot of coal on that ship," remarked Ned. "Must be trying for a speed record."
A little later a sailor stationed himself in the crow's nest, and focused a telescope on the smoke. An officer, on deck, seemed to be waiting for a report from the man aloft.
"That's rather odd," remarked Ned. "I never knew them to take so much interest in a passing steamer before; and we've gone by several of late."
"That's right," agreed Tom. "I wonder"
At that moment the officer, looking up, called out:
"Main top!"
"Aye, aye, sir," answered the sailor with the glass. "She's a small steamer, sir, and she's on fire!"
"That's what I feared. Come down. I'll tell the captain. We must crowd on all steam, and, go to the rescue."
"Did you hear that?" cried Ned to Tom, as the officer hurried to the bridge, where the captain awaited him. "A steamer on fire at sea, Tom! why don't you"
