men, surlily.

"Because two resolute men can do a great deal--I may say three, for in
this instance Ready will be of my side, and I can call to my assistance
the cabin passenger--recollect the firearms are all in the cabin. But
why should we quarrel?--Say at once what you intend to do; and if you
have not made up your minds, will you listen to what I propose?"

As Mackintosh's courage and determination were well known, the seamen
again consulted together, and then asked him what he proposed.

"We have one good boat left, the new yawl at the booms: the others, as
you know, are washed away, with the exception of the little boat astern,
which is useless, as she is knocked almost to pieces. Now we cannot be
very far from some of the islands, indeed I think we are among them now.
Let us fit out the boat with everything we require, go about our work
steadily and quietly, drink as much grog as will not hurt us, and take a
good provision of it with us. The boat is complete with her masts,
sails, and oars; and it's very hard if we do not save ourselves
somewhere. Ready, do I give good advice or not?"

"You give very good advice, Mackintosh--only what is to become of the
cabin passengers, the women, and children? and are you going to leave
poor Captain Osborn? or what do you mean to do?"

"We won't leave the captain," said one of the seamen.

"No--no!" exclaimed the others.

"And the passengers?"

"Very sorry for them," replied the former spokesman; "but we shall have
enough to do to save our own lives."

"Well, my lads, I agree with you," said Mackintosh. "Charity begins at
home. What do you say?--shall it be so?"

"Yes," replied the seamen, unanimously; and Ready knew that it was in
vain to expostulate. They now set about preparing the boat, and
providing for their wants. Biscuits, salt pork, two or three small
casks of water, and a barrel of rum were collected at the gangway;
Mackintosh brought up his quadrant and a compass, some muskets, powder
and shot; the carpenter, with the assistance of another man, cut away
the ship's bulwarks down to the gunnel, so as to enable them to launch
the boat overboard, for they could not, of course, hoist her out now
that the masts were gone. In an hour everything was prepared. A long
rope was made fast to the boat, which was brought to the gunnel ready
for launching overboard, and the ship's broadside was brought to the
wind. As this was done, Mr Seagrave came on deck a