Inafewwords,GideonSpilett,Herbert,andNebweremadeacquaintedwithwhathadhappened.Thisaccident,whichappearedsoveryserioustoPencroft,produceddifferenteffectsonthecompanionsofthehonestsailor.

           Neb,inhisdelightathavingfoundhismaster,didnotlisten,orrather,didnotcaretotroublehimselfwithwhatPencroftwassaying.

           Herbertsharedinsomedegreethesailor’sfeelings.

           Astothereporter,hesimplyreplied,—

           "Uponmyword,Pencroft,it’sperfectlyindifferenttome!"

           "But,Irepeat,thatwehaven’tanyfire!"

           "Pooh!"

           "Noranymeansofrelightingit!"

           "Nonsense!"

           "ButIsay,Mr.Spilett—"

           "Isn’tCyrushere?"repliedthereporter.

           "Isnotourengineeralive?Hewillsoonfindsomewayofmakingfireforus!"

           "Withwhat?"

           "Withnothing."