ronounced, he sank down on the deck
without uttering a word. Captain Power kindly raised him up. An almost
idiotic expression had come over the young officer's countenance, and he
scarcely seemed aware of what was occurring.

"Come, Holt, bestir yourself," said the captain. "Pack up anything you
may especially wish to take with you. The boats will soon be shoving
off."

The poor young ensign looked wildly about him for a moment, and then
hurrying into his cabin, began to pack up a huge portmanteau, tumbling
all sorts of articles into it. He was thus engaged when he heard his
name called, and, leaving it behind him, rushed on deck. The colonel
meantime addressed the officers.

"Gentlemen, we have still our duty to perform," he said. "Desperate as
appears our condition, I do not despair; and, at all events, I am
confident that none of you will flinch from what requires to be done.
Every one will take his turn at the pumps as long as the ship remains
above water; and now I will muster the men. Let the roll be beat."

The roll of the drum was directly afterwards heard echoing along the
decks, and all the men not employed at the pumps fell in. The married
men, with the drummers, were ordered to prepare to go in the boats. The
crews of each were then mustered aft, and sentries stationed to prevent
any others from entering them.

Now came the most trying moment of all. While the commander was
standing on the break of the poop, and issuing his final orders, Harry
Shafto, followed by Willy Dicey, came up to him.

"I hope, sir, you will allow me to remain on board," he said; "and
though Dicey wishes to prefer the same request, I trust you will refuse
it in his case."

"I certainly shall do so," answered the commander, "as I also shall
refuse yours. I have decided that you are to take command of the
launch. I know you to be an excellent boat sailor, and I can
confidently entrust her to your care."

"I thank you heartily, sir," said Harry. "I would most willingly remain
with you; but I know my duty."

"Then go into the boat, and be ready to receive the ladies and women who
will be sent into her, and take young Dicey with you." He stopped for a
moment, then drawing a letter from his breast pocket, he added, "Here,
take this despatch also, and preserve it, if possible. It is addressed
to the Lords of the Admiralty. I have said what it was my duty to say
with regard to the conduct of the officers and ship's