are taking to the boats," he said.

"Goad!" cried the skipper. "Wull it be a colleesion?"

"All's clear and the davits are outboard," said Gissing. He had been
studying the manual of boat handling in one of the nautical volumes in
the chart-room.

"Auld Hornie!" ejaculated the skipper. "We'll no can salve the specie!
Make note of her poseetion, Mr. Gissing!" He hastened to gather his
papers, the log, a chronometer, and a large canister of tobacco.

"The Deil's intil't," he said as he hastened to his boat. "I had yon
pragmateesm of yours on a lee shore. Two-three hours, I'd have careened
ye."

Gissing was ready with his megaphone. From the wing of the bridge he
gave the orders.

"Lower away!" and the boats dropped to the passenger rail.

"Avast lowering!" Each boat took in her roster of passengers, who were
in high spirits at this unusual excitement.

"Mind your painters! Lower handsomely!"

The boats took the water in orderly fashion, and were cast off.
Remaining members of the crew swarmed down the falls. The bandsmen had a
boat to themselves, and resumed their tune as soon as they were settled.

Gissing, left alone on the ship, waved for silence.

"Look sharp, man!" cried Captain Scottie. "Honour's satisfied! Take your
place in the boat!"

The passengers applauded, and there was quite a clatter of camera
shutters as they snapped the Pomerania looming grandly above them.

"Boats are all provisioned and equipped," shouted Gissing. "I've
broadcasted your position by radio. The barometer's at Fixed Fair. Pull
off now, and 'ware the screw."

He moved the telegraph handle to DEAD SLOW, and the Pomerania began to
slip forward gently. The boats dropped aft amid a loud miscellaneous
outcry. Mr. Pointer was already examining the horizon. Captain Scottie,
awakened to the situation, was uttering the language of theology but not
the purport.

"Don't stand up in the boats," megaphoned Gissing. "You're quite all
right, there's a ship on the way already. I wirelessed last night."

He slid the telegraph to slow, half, and then full. Once more the ship
creamed through the lifting purple swells. The little flock of boats was
soon out of sight.

Alone at the wheel, he realized that a great weight was off his mind.
The responsibility of his position had burdened him more than he knew.
Now a strange eagerness and joy possessed him. His bubbling wake cut
straight and milky across the glittering afternoon. In a ruddy sun