I 've tramped up and down the deck so much , I shall be barefooted if we do n't arrive soon , ' laughed Mary , the daughter , showing two shabby little boots as she glanced up at the companion of these tramps , remembering gratefully how pleasant he had made them . ` Do n't think there are any small enough in China , ' answered Emil , with a sailor 's ready gallantry , privately resolving to hunt up the handsomest shoes he could find the moment he landed . ' I do n't know what you would have done for exercise , dear , if Mr Hoffmann had not made you walk every day . This lazy life is bad for young people , though it suits an old body like me well enough in calm weather . Is this likely to be a gale , think ye ? ' added Mrs Hardy , with an anxious glance at the west , where the sun was setting redly . ` Only a capful of wind , ma'am , just enough to send us along lively , ' answered Emil , with a comprehensive glance aloft and alow . ` Please sing , Mr Hoffmann , it 's so pleasant to have music at this time . We shall miss it very much when we get ashore , ' said Mary , in a persuasive tone which would have won melody from a shark , if such a thing were possible . Emil had often blessed his one accomplishment during these months , for it cheered the long days , and made the twilight hour his happiest time , wind and weather permitting . So now he gladly tuned his pipe , and leaning on the taffrail near the girl , watched the brown locks blowing in the wind as he sang her favourite song : ` Give me freshening breeze , my boys , A white and swelling sail , A ship that cuts the dashing waves , And weathers every gale . What life is like a sailor 's life , So free , so bold , so brave ? His home the ocean 's wide expanse , A coral bed his grave . ' Just as the last notes of the clear , strong voice died away , Mrs Hardy suddenly exclaimed : ` What 's that ? ' Emil 's quick eye saw at once the little puff of smoke coming up a hatchway where no smoke should be , and his heart seemed to stand still for an instant as the dread word ` Fire ! ' flashed through his mind . Then he was quite steady , and strolled away saying quietly : ` Smoking not allowed there , I 'll go and stop it . ' But the instant he was out of sight his face changed , and he leaped down the hatchway , thinking , with a queer smile on his lips : ` If we are afire , should n't wonder if I did make a coral bed my grave ! ' He was gone a few minutes , and when he came up , half stifled with smoke , he was as white as a very brown man could be , but calm and cool as he went to report to the captain . ` Fire in the hold , sir . '
` XXXXX n't frighten the women , ' was Captain Hardy 's first order ; then both be stirred themselves to discover how strong the treacherous enemy was , and to rout it if possible .
Do Is alow blessed came find make said strolled swelling