submarine current, moved rapidly towards the exit; the brig was still
three cable-lengths distant, when the mountain, entering the vacant
space like a wedge, joined itself to its companions, and closed the
means of escape.

"We are lost!" cried Shandon, who was unable to restrain that unwise
speech.

"Lost!" repeated the crew.

"Lower the boats!" cried many.

"To the steward's pantry!" cried Pen and some of his set; "if we must
drown, let us drown in gin!"

The wildest confusion raged among these half-wild men. Shandon felt
unable to assert his authority; he wanted to give some orders; he
hesitated, he stammered; his thoughts could find no words. The doctor
walked up and down nervously. Johnson folded his arms stoically, and
said not a word.

Suddenly a strong, energetic, commanding voice was heard above the
din, uttering these words:--

"Every man to his place! Prepare to go about!"

[Illustration]

Johnson shuddered, and, without knowing what he did, turned the wheel
rapidly.

It was time; the brig, going under full steam, was about crashing
against the walls of its prison.

But while Johnson instinctively obeyed, Shandon, Clawbonny, the crew,
all, even down to Warren the fireman, who had abandoned his fires, and
Strong the cook, who had fled from his galley, were collected on the
deck, and all saw issuing from the cabin, the key of which he alone
possessed, a man.

This man was the sailor Garry.

"Sir!" cried Shandon, turning pale, "Garry--by what right do you give
orders here?"

"Duke!" said Garry, repeating the whistle which had so surprised the
crew.

The dog, on hearing his real name, sprang on the quarter-deck, and lay
down quietly at his master's feet.

The crew did not utter a word. The key which the captain alone should
possess, the dog which he had sent and which had identified him, so to
speak, the tone of command which it was impossible to mistake,--all
this had a strong influence on the minds of the sailors, and was
enough to establish firmly Garry's authority.

Besides, Garry was hardly to be recognized; he had removed the thick
whiskers which had surrounded his face, thereby giving it a more
impassible, energetic, and commanding expression; he stood before them
clothed in a captain's uniform, which he had had placed in his cabin.

So the crew of the _Forward_, animated in spite of themselves,
shouted,--

"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for the captain!"

"Shandon," he said to his