at there was but little prospect
of getting the vessel off, we did not scruple to use the hatches and
bulkheads, and, indeed, to rip off the inner planking. It would
require, we saw, two rafts of considerable size to carry so many people
with any degree of safety even in smooth water. Still, what other
prospect had we of saving our lives? I had not for a moment allowed my
mind to dwell more than I could help on our too possible fate; indeed,
it would almost have unmanned me to contemplate the hardships to which
the young ladies must inevitably be exposed even at the best. However,
we were doing all that men could do under the circumstances, and that
kept up our spirits. Kydd had become somewhat humbled by this time, and
worked away like the rest of us, without taking any leading part;
indeed, several of the rest of the party were far more expert in
constructing the rafts than he was.

The water, as I said, remained smooth inside of us. We now set to work
to launch our rafts. Kydd took charge of the one forward; I of the
after one, at the construction of which I had assisted. Having cut away
the bulwarks, we worked them over the side with the capstan bars, and
then lowered them as gently as we could with ropes. Mine, I found, was
somewhat the largest, and floated higher than the other out of the
water. We had now to fit masts and sails to them. Fortunately there
was a number of spare oars on board, so that our time was not occupied
in making fresh ones. I however thought it well to have one long one to
serve as a mast. The important business of provisioning our rafts had
next to be attended to. We first got up four water-casks, which we
secured in the centre of the raft. Round them we formed a strong
railing, with a raised platform, on which a few of the party could sit
well out of the water, which I feared, as soon as there was any sea,
would wash over the main part.

I saw Kydd hurrying on with his preparations. "Now, Miss Rowley," he
said, "I hope you will entrust yourself to my charge. I ought to know
better how to manage a raft than those landsmen," and he cast a glance
at me; "and I promise to take good care of you and your brothers."

I did not hear what the young lady said, but directly afterwards I saw
her being lowered down on to Kydd's raft. Her brothers and the young
Irishman followed.

"Come, Handspike; we want you," sung out Kydd, standing up on the raft.

"No, no," answered Handspike