e them uselessly; they'll want all their strength
before they put foot again upon dry land--if ever they are so fortunate.
Shall I speak to them?"

"Do, Oswald," replied the captain; "for myself I care little, God knows;
but my wife--my children!"

"My lads," said Oswald, going forward to the men, who had waited in
moody silence the result of the conference--"as for pumping any longer
it would be only wearing out your strength for no good. We must now
look to our boats; and a good boat is better than a bad ship. Still
this gale and cross-running sea are rather too much for boats at
present; we had therefore better stick to the ship as long as we can.
Let us set to with a will and get the boats ready, with provisions,
water, and what may be needful, and then we must trust to God's mercy
and our own endeavours."

"No boat can stand this sea," observed one of the men. "I'm of opinion,
as it's to be a short life, it may as well be a merry one. What d'ye
say, my lads?" continued he, appealing to the men.

Several of the crew were of the same opinion: but Oswald, stepping
forward, seized one of the axes which lay at the main-bits, and going up
to the seaman who had spoken, looked him steadfastly in the face:--

"Williams," said the mate, "a short life it may be to all of us, but not
a merry one; the meaning of which I understand very well. Sorry I shall
be to have your blood, or that of others, on my hands; but as sure as
there's a heaven, I'll cleave to the shoulder the first man who attempts
to break into the spirit-room. You know I never joke. Shame upon you!
Do you call yourselves men, when, for the sake of a little liquor now,
you would lose your only chance of getting drunk every day as soon as we
get on shore again? There's a time for all things; and I've a notion
this is a time to be sober."

As most of the crew sided with Oswald, the weaker party were obliged to
submit, and the preparations were commenced. The two boats on the booms
were found to be in good condition. One party was employed cutting away
the bulwarks, that the boats might be launched over the side, as there
were no means of hoisting them out. The well was again sounded. Nine
feet of water in the hold, and the ship evidently settling fast. Two
hours had now passed, and the gale was not so violent; the sea, also,
which at the change of wind had been cross, appeared to have recovered
its regular run. All was ready; the sailors, once a