So the children promised, and the captain was satisfied; but they talked the matter over between themselves, and became more and more convinced that Frank March and Edna May were brother and sister.
After this the voyage proceeded without incident until the evening of the third day, when they were sitting at supper in the cabin.

The skylights and port-holes were all wide open, for in spite of the fresh breeze that was blowing, the cabin was uncomfortably close and hot.
Mark said the further north they went the hotter it seemed to get, and the others agreed with him.

Captain May said that if the breeze held, and they were lucky in meeting a pilot, they would be at anchor in New York Harbor before another supper-time, and he hoped the hot spell would be over before they were obliged to go ashore.

While he was speaking the mate put his head down the companion-way and said, "Captain May, will you be good enough to step on deck a moment, sir ?" As the captain went on deck he noticed that all the crew were gathered about the forecastle, and were talking earnestly.
"What's in the wind now, Mr.Gibbs ?" he asked of the mate, who at that moment stepped up to him.
"Why, sir, only this, that I believe the ship's on fire.

A few minutes ago the whole watch below came on deck vowing there was no sleeping in the fo'k'sle; that it was a reg'lar furnace.