heir boat rode under the
steamer's heaving side. "You go and do your whack at getting the people
off that packet, or, so help me James! none of you shall ever see your
happy Dutchland again."

Meanwhile, so the irony of the fates ordered it, the two mates, each in
charge of one of the _Flamingo's_ lifeboats, were commanding crews made
up entirely of Germans and Scandinavians, and pluckier and more careful
sailormen could not have been wished for. The work was dangerous, and
required more than ordinary nerve and endurance and skill. A heavy sea
ran, and from its crests a spindrift blew which cut the face like whips,
and numbed all parts of the body with its chill. The boats were tossed
about like playthings, and required constant bailing to keep them from
being waterlogged. But Kettle had brought the _Flamingo_ to windward of
the _Grosser Carl_, and each boat carried a line, so that the steam
winches could help her with the return trips.

Getting a cargo was, however, the chief difficulty. All attempt at
killing the fire was given up by this time. All vestige of order was
swamped in unutterable panic. The people on board had given themselves
up to wild, uncontrollable anarchy. If a boat had been brought
alongside, they would have tumbled into her like sheep, till their
numbers swamped her. They cursed the flames, cursed the sea, cursed
their own brothers and sisters who jostled them. They were the sweepings
from half-fed middle Europe, born with raw nerves; and under the sudden
stress of danger, and the absence of some strong man to thrust
discipline on them, they became practically maniacs. They were beyond
speech, many of them. They yammered at the boats which came to their
relief, with noises like those of scared beasts.

Now the _Flamingo's_ boats were officered by two cool, profane mates,
who had no nerves themselves, and did not see the use of nerves in other
people. Neither of them spoke German, but (after the style of their
island) presuming that some of those who listened would understand
English, they made proclamation in their own tongue to the effect that
the women were to be taken off first.

"Kids with them," added the second mate.

"And if any of you rats of men shove your way down here," said the chief
mate, "before all the skirt is ferried across, you'll get knocked on the
head, that's all. Savvy that belaying-pin I got in my fist? Now then,
get some bowlines, and sway out the ladies."

As well mi