their
misdeeds, was of paramount importance with them. Before commencing,
therefore, upon the difficult task of launching the boats, Rogers
informed his unfortunate prisoners that he was willing to give them a
couple of boats, with all necessary provisions and water, if they would
individually take a solemn oath never to reveal any of the circumstances
connected with the mutiny, nor to say or do anything which would place
the mutineers within the power of the law. If they would do this, they
might have the boats; if not, he informed them that they would be left
on board the burning ship, and that the mutineers would take such
measures as would effectually preclude any possibility of escape. Under
the circumstances the prisoners had no alternative but to comply, which
they did, and the launching of the boats was then vigorously proceeded
with.

This task, after an immense amount of difficulty, and two or three
exceedingly narrow escapes from the accident of having the boats stove
or swamped, was at length satisfactorily accomplished; after which no
time was lost in provisioning and manning them.

As soon as the boats were ready to receive them, the ladies were
summoned from the saloon to take their places therein. The poor
creatures could hardly be persuaded, in their terror and distraction, to
leave even such inefficient protection as the saloon afforded them, so
great was their horror and repugnance at the idea of being brought once
more, even though it might be for ever so short a time, into the
presence and propinquity of the mutineers. And when at length they
emerged from the saloon, and, standing upon the wet and slippery deck,
glanced first aloft at the splintered spars, the tattered remains of the
sails, and the ends and bights of rope streaming in the wind, then at
the great tongues of flame and clouds of smoke which enwrapped the
forepart of the ship, and, lastly, over the side at the boats tossing
like egg-shells upon the mountainous seas which swept hissing past,
their courage entirely failed them; and it was not until Rogers, growing
impatient at the delay, strode up to them and gave them the choice of
going instantly and without further ado over the side and into the
boats, or of being left behind altogether, that they could be persuaded
to essay the dangerous adventure.

At length, however, by the exercise of great care and circumspection on
the part of all concerned, the trans-shipment of the lad