not going to send us out
there in one of these miserable cockleshells?"

"M'love!" Sir Charles expostulated mildly drawing her closer as he
spoke, "it's the only chance, and--" Then to the captain
half-apologetically--"She'll meet it with me, as she has met danger
before, in the bush, like a true English-woman! But what," indicating
the convicts' deck, "what about them? It seems inhuman, yet if they were
let out--"

"They must not be!" Lord Ronsdale's metallic voice interposed quickly.
"I call upon you, Captain Macpherson, in the name of the women and
children--"

"I've thought about that," said Captain Macpherson shortly, and turned
to his task.

The boat was soon overhauled, the lockers and water-butt were filled,
and the passengers, one by one, set into it. On the whole, at that
moment for leaving the ship, their conduct left little room for
criticism; one or two of the women who had appeared on the verge of
hysterics now restrained audible manifestation of emotion. Sir Charles
proved a monument of helpfulness; assisted in placing the women here and
there, and extended a helpful hand to Lord Ronsdale, who had become
somewhat dazed and inert. Total darkness added to the difficulties of
their task, for the moon which until then had shone with much luster now
went behind a curtain of cloud. But Captain Macpherson coolly called out
by name the men to handle the life-boat, and, with no evidence of
disorder, they crowded in, none too soon! As the boat with its human
freight hung in readiness for the lowering, the remaining spar of the
_Lord Nelson_ fell with a mighty crash.

"Remember the name of your ship, lads!" Captain Macpherson's voice
seemed to anticipate a movement of panic among the seamen on deck; if
there had been any intention to "rush" the already well-loaded boat, it
was stayed. "Mr. Gillett, I'll be troubling ye for the keys to the
convicts' deck. Mr. O'Brien, get in and take charge. Steer southeast
with a bit of rag; it's your best chance to get picked up. Hold near the
ship until the other boat with the crew can come alongside. It's as well
to keep company. Are the lines clear? Let her go."

The boat was lowered and at the right moment touched a receding wave.
Captain Macpherson waited until the chief officer called out that they
were safely away, then gave his last order:

"And now, lads, ye can be lookin' to yourselves!"

They did; the master turned and with some difficulty made his way toward