ngers began again
to emerge from their quarters in little groups and congregate about the
foot of the ladder, as though holding themselves in readiness to obey an
expected call. At regular intervals distress rockets continued to be
fired from the upper deck, each discharge being followed by a little
movement of restlessness on the part of the rapidly increasing crowd,
while Dick noticed that the ship's wireless was again insistently
calling. He also noticed that the burly man and a small group of
kindred spirits were quietly but unobtrusively edging their way through
the gathering crowd towards the foot of the ladder, and he decided to
check the movement forthwith. Therefore, raising his arm to attract
attention, and then pointing downward at the culprits, he said:

"Now, look here, you men! Stop that at once, if you please. I see your
game; but it won't do. You are trying to get in front of all the
others, so as to be first in the boats if you are called to take to
them. But it won't do, my fine fellows. If it is decided to send away
the boats, the women and children will be the first to go; therefore the
men will be pleased to fall in in the rear. Let all the children come
forward, and their mothers with them--no, no; don't rush and crowd, for
there is not the least occasion for hurry; make a lane, there--a good
wide lane to the foot of the ladder--do you hear what I say? That's
better--open out wider yet. So! Good! Now, you mothers, come to the
front with your kiddies, and sit down on deck until further orders. Let
the youngsters come up the ladder and sit down on the steps. They may
come up as far as the top step, but no farther. That's right. Now,
little folks, sit close together and keep each other warm. That's
capital. Now you will do very well."

As Dick finished, a quartermaster, accompanied by half-a-dozen seamen,
came along the deck, and while the latter ranged themselves immediately
behind Cavendish, the quartermaster murmured in the young man's ear:

"They're goin' to begin launchin' the boats, sir, and the chief officer
wants you up on the boat deck to help. I'm to stay here with these men,
to see that there's no rush. You're to go at once, please, sir."

"Right!" responded Dick, and turned to go. Then a thought suddenly
occurred to him, and he faced round to the people on the deck below, now
evidently all agog to learn what fresh development was impending.

"Ladies and gentlemen,