He had not informed the captain of the dangerous nature of the contents of the package, because he was perfectly aware that he would have been refused permission to bring the package on board.
"Any way," he said, with a shrug of his shoulders, "you can't hang me for it; and if the package gives you so much concern, you are quite at liberty to throw it into the sea.

My luggage is insured." I was beside myself with fury, and not being endowed with Curtis's reticence and self-control, before he could interfere to stop me, I cried out,-- "You fool! don't you know that there is fire on board ?" In an instant I regretted my words.

Most earnestly I wished them unuttered, But it was too late: their effect upon Ruby was electrical.
He was paralyzed with terror his limbs stiffened convulsively; his eye was dilated; he gasped for breath, and was speechless.

All of a sudden he threw up his arms and, as though he momentarily expected an explosion, he darted down from the poop, and paced frantically up and down the deck, gesticulating like a madman, and shouting,-- "Fire on board! Fire! Fire!" On hearing the outcry, all the crew, supposing that the fire had now in reality broken out, rushed on deck; the rest of the passengers soon joined them, and the scene that ensued was one of the utmost confusion.
Mrs.Kear fell down senseless on the deck, and her husband, occupied in looking after himself, left her to the tender mercies of Miss Herbey.
Curtis endeavoured to silence Ruby's ravings, whilst I, in as few words as I could, made M.Letourneur aware of the extent to which the cargo was on fire.

The father's first thought was for Andre but the young man preserved an admirable composure, and begged his father not to be alarmed, as the danger was not immediate.