rocession
streaming into the cabin had an effect little short of magical on the
bedlam within. Corinna changed the tune to Annie Laurie. The cabin
roof rang with it.

Little Domville was rushing to and fro in well-meant but futile efforts
to reassure the children. Evan seized him and planted him at one of
the doors.

"Let no one go out!" he commanded. "And sing!"

Another youth rushed up. "Corinna, are you all right?"

"Sure, she's all right! Everybody's all right!" cried Evan. He put
him at the other door. "Stand there and sing!"

The young man yielded instinctive obedience to the commanding voice.

Evan and Corinna passed down the saloon, Corinna singing and Evan
beating time with extravagant gestures like an Italian bandmaster.
Even the children who were still weeping had to laugh. They met
Dordess on the way. Denton and Anway were bringing in the children
from the after deck. As far as the passengers were concerned the
crisis was passed--but ominous sounds still rose from below.

Evan whispered to Dordess: "Put a man at each door and at the stairway
and keep the kids together. I'll go below and see what's the matter."

Dordess nodded. There was that in Evan's eye which caused all the men
to look to him. Their late animosity was forgotten. He was avenged.

Evan hastened down the stairway. Below there was nobody in the after
part of the vessel. Up forward he found a scene of dire confusion.
Alongside the engine room the engineer lay prone on the deck with his
second bending over him. Up in the nose of the vessel the remainder of
the ship's company it appeared was engaged in a free-for-all fist fight
with oaths and stamping.

At first Evan could not make head or tail of the fracas. Then he saw
that it was the mate, a manly, up-standing young fellow and Tenterden
against the four deckhands and the two firemen. But the two were more
than holding their own; the six cringed and sought to escape their
blows. Evan rushed between them.

"Leave off! Leave off!" he cried. "You'll start the kids off again."

"These ---- ---- cowards won't work!" cried the mate.

"Let them be. We've enough without them."

The mate and Tenterden reluctantly drew off.

"First of all is there any immediate danger?" asked Evan.

"No, she's not taking water," said the mate.

"Go up to the pilot-house. There's nobody there."

"I left the Captain there," the mate said, surprised.

"He's gone. Sound a dist