Would they subdue the flames before it reached the loose ammunition which had just been sent up from below?
This was the all-important question that I asked myself as I stood by, watching what was going on.
I wanted to help and so did Dan, but we could do nothing.
Presently a dull explosion was heard, followed by another.
"The ammunition is going up!"
"Are the steel covers to the magazines closed?"
Several other cries rang out. In the meantime the firemen continued to pour two heavy streams of sea-water on the flames.
Thick volumes of smoke rolled up the companion ways, and I felt that those below were in danger of being choked to death.
"This is awful!" murmured Dan. "I hope we don't blow up, as did the Maine."
"We won't, for she blew up from the outside, not the inside," I answered grimly.
"Well, one way would be just as bad as the other, Oliver."
"I suppose that is so, as far as we are concerned."
The work continued and all watched the labor nervously.
