That means the last resort, fellows.

The 'old man' is trying to get every ounce of steam possible." Our curiosity satisfied, we felt more at ease, and we lounged at our stations and listened to the banging of furnace doors and grating of shovels in the fire room below.

Occasionally one of us would venture an opinion or try to exchange views, and "Stump" even started a story, but in the main we were quiet and watchful.
From the swaying and trembling of the hull it was evident the "Yankee" was being pushed at her utmost speed.

Mess gear rattled in the chests, the deck quivered, and from down in the lower depths came the quick throb-throb of the overworked engines.

Presently the red glare caused by the upleaping flames from the funnel died away, and darkness settled down again.
"I guess we are making it," observed Tommy.