elf that
it was secured there too, and that we had no means of unfastening it.

"Stand back from the door, right to the other side of the cabin," said
Mr Frewen, and, drawing back some distance, he ran at the panel, raised
his foot, struck it just above the handle, and it was driven right off,
and he saw Miss Denning standing there, pale and large-eyed, holding a
little taper in her hand, while in the bed-place lay her brother, gazing
at us wildly, but for his countenance to change and become restful and
calm as he saw that he was in the presence of friends.

"I told you they would not desert us, Lena," he said faintly; and then
his head sank back as if he were too weak to raise it from the pillow.

Mr Frewen stepped close up to the bed-place as I joined Mr Denning and
laid my hand in his, for his eyes had seemed to invite me to come to
him. Then, as if I had not been there, he whispered quickly to the
invalid--

"Denning, you don't like me, but we are in a perilous strait. Believe
me, I will do everything man can for you and your sister now. Will you
trust me?"

"Yes."

Mr Frewen turned to Miss Denning, and said firmly--

"Dress quickly, as if for a long journey." She looked at him
wonderingly. "Yes," he said, and his voice sounded almost harsh. "In
five minutes or less you must both be down in the boat. Hat, cloak,
waterproof, and any necessary that you think may be useful. Nothing
more. You understand?"

She bowed, and began hurriedly to collect the few things she required,
while, without waiting to be told, I dragged pillow and blankets from
the cot, and ran out with them to the stern-window, beneath which I
could plainly see the boat now.

"Mr Preddle--Dumlow," I cried, "stow these aft;" and I threw down the
articles I had brought, and went to fetch others from the cabin, passing
Bob Hampton and Barney, who were collecting everything they could find
in the way of provisions, tins, bottles, bags, from the captain's
stores, and throwing them down.

By the time I was back, Miss Denning was ready, and she was about to
help her brother, but he hung back.

"No, no," he said. "Take her first, Frewen."

She would have resisted, but I said quickly--"The ship is on fire; we
must not lose a moment. Pray come."

She put her hand in mine, and I led her through the saloon, now full of
a lurid light, and into the captain's cabin, where the rope still hung
down.

"Be ready to help, Mr Preddle," I said