than he might have despaired, but he did not.
Murray did not trust to his own right arm to save him. He looked to
help from above. He knew if it was right it would be afforded him. If
not, he was prepared to meet his fate.

Meantime away flew the frigate. The moment the sails were reefed, the
captain issued the orders he had been anxious to give. "About ship,"
"helm's a-lee." Never did the crew more strenuously exert themselves to
box round the yards. They knew who was overboard, and the two
midshipmen were favourites with all hands: Murray for the calm,
gentlemanly, officer-like way in which he spoke to the men, and for the
thorough knowledge of his duty he always displayed; Jack for his dash
and bravery, and good spirits and humour with which he carried out any
work allotted to him. They now saw that neither was Murray wanting in
dash and courage. As the frigate was standing back towards the spot
where the accident had occurred, preparations were made for lowering a
boat. There was no hurry or confusion in this case. Her proper crew
were called away. The second lieutenant took charge of her. Some
people called Captain Lascelles a very strict officer. It is true he
never overlooked a breach of discipline or carelessness of duty. He
used to say that a breach of discipline, however trifling, if allowed to
pass, was like a small leak, which, if permitted to continue, will go on
increasing till the ship founders. Thus, among other good arrangements,
every boat on board was kept in readiness to be lowered at a moment's
notice, and everybody knew exactly what to do when a boat was to be
lowered.

Captain Lascelles did not allow his feelings to appear; but he was
intensely anxious about the fate of his two midshipmen. He would have
given all the worldly wealth of which he was possessed to be assured
that they would be saved. The thick clouds brought up by the gale
increased the gathering gloom. Neither they nor the life-buoy could be
seen. He had carefully noted the exact course on which the frigate had
run since they went overboard, so that he was able to calculate how to
keep her, so as to fetch back to the same spot. There were also many
sharp eyes on the lookout forward, endeavouring with all their might to
discover the lost ones. In those southern latitudes darkness comes on
with a rapidity unknown in lands blessed by a long twilight. Thus,
before the frigate got up to the spot where the accident