e said. "He had other matters to attend
to than explaining the progress of events to me. Why cannot you trust
me? I shall not scream, nor faint, nor hinder you in your work; I ask
you again-- Where are the others?"

"You mean Miss Baring and Mrs. Somerville?"

"Yes."

"If they are living, they are far enough away by this time. When their
boat was lowered it was cast off prematurely--"

"Purposely?"

"Well--yes. Courtenay had just placed Miss Baring's maid on board when
some of the crew let go the ropes. What could we do? We were forced
to depend on them."

"Is there no other boat?"

Christobal threw out his hands in his characteristic gesture. He was
so emphatic that he spilled some of the wine.

"You take it bravely," he said. "I may as well give you the whole
story. The first boat lowered was lost, through the men's own
bungling, the captain says. Then there was a desperate fight for the
three remaining craft. Most of the officers were killed. Courtenay
got a few of us together when Isobel and Mrs. Somerville joined you
here, and we held off such of the madmen as tried to seize the
jolly-boat. They managed to lower two life-boats, but, between murder
and panic, not half of the crew escaped in that way. Four men, who
were left behind, promised obedience, and Malcolm, the steward, was
placed in charge, with Mr. Gray as second in command. One of the
engineers, acting on the captain's orders, brought a can of oil from
the engine-room and threw it over the side in handfuls. The result was
magical. We lowered the boat easily, placed Monsieur de Poincilit on
board, because he was worse than the women, and then Courtenay, as you
know, brought Isobel, the minister's wife--who refused to go without
her husband--and the maid. There was room for you and another, so, at
the captain's request, Tollemache and I tossed for the vacancy.
Meanwhile, Courtenay had turned to go for you, when we heard a shout
from Gray; two of the Chileans had cast off the ropes which kept the
boat alongside. Gray, who was fending her from the ship with the
boat-hook, jabbed one fellow in the face with it; but he was too late.
The boat raced off into the darkness. And here we are!"

That Christobal left several things unsaid Elsie knew quite well. He
plumed himself on the reserve he had acquired from his English mother,
though in all matters pertaining to nationality he was a true hidalgo.
Indeed, there was a touch of van