He told them the worst at once, and advised them to go below and pack up their things ready for instant removal in case it became necessary.
"Oh, William," exclaimed his sister, "can't we take to the boats now while there is time?
It seems like tempting Providence to stay on the ship and wait for the fire to break out.

What if she should blow up ?" "Now, don't be foolish, Emily," answered the captain.

"There's nothing on board that can blow up, and it would be worse than cowardly to leave the ship while there's a chance of saving her.

The boats are all ready to be lowered instantly, and at present there is no more danger here than there would be in them." Not a soul on board the Wildfire went to bed or undressed that night, and Mark and Ruth were the only ones who closed their eyes.

They stayed on deck until midnight, but then, in spite of the excitement, they became too sleepy to hold their eyes open any longer, and Mrs.Coburn persuaded them to take a nap on the cabin sofas.
All night the ship flew like a frightened bird towards her port, under such a press of canvas as Captain May would not have dared carry had not the necessity for speed been so great.