have
many chances yet. Today sometime or tonight we must take to the boats,
and what I want to impress upon you especially is that you, all of you,
must control yourselves. Do not give way to excitement or fear which
might hinder you from doing what is best. I tell you plainly, that the
worst we have to fear on that score is the crew. They are already near
to mutiny. The first officer and others are guarding their exits and
keeping the stokers at their posts. They are a rough lot of men, and it
will not do to let them get beyond our control. I shall, therefore, ask
the help of every man present. When it comes to launching the boats, it
must be done in order. There are boats enough, but there must not be any
crowding. With the present rough water it will be difficult to get the
boats off. It is necessary, therefore, that the greatest care be taken.
Now, then, that is all. Go about quietly. Each man and woman get a life
belt ready, but you need not put them on until you are told. The steward
will give the order."

He ceased, turned, and hurried up the companionway. There was silence
for a moment, then a woman screamed, which signaled a general uproar of
cries and talk. Out of the confusion came quiet, assuring commands, and
in time the little company had scattered. Chester and his father went
out together, along the hallway to Lucy's room. They looked mutely at
each other, not knowing what best to say.

When they stopped at Lucy's door, Chester asked of his father if she was
up.

"Yes," he replied; "but she is not well. How shall we tell her the evil
news?"

"We must manage it somehow, for she must know--poor little girl!"

Between them, they managed to tell Lucy of the situation they were in.
During the telling, she looked at one and then at the other in a dazed
way, as if she could not believe there were any actual danger. They
repeated to her the assurances the captain had given.

"Can we go on deck?" asked Lucy at last. "I want to get into the air
where the sky is above me."

They found a protected corner in the smoking-room where Lucy was content
to sit and look out of the open door to see what was going on about the
deck. Officers were inspecting the boats to see that all were ready in
case of need. The work of the crew and the movements of the passengers
were accompanied by a certain nervousness. That the ship was slowly
settling could plainly be seen by all on board.

Towards noon, the forward hatch was