his kind, men's endurance is sometimes tried pretty
sharply, and men in distress are occasionally driven to forgetting their
duty to their comrades. I tell you beforehand, lads, that I will do all
that in me lies to steer you to the nearest port, and to make your lot
as comfortable as may be in an open boat; but if any of you should take
a fancy to having his own way, I've brought with me a little leaden
pill-box (here the captain drew aside the breast of his coat and exposed
the handle of a revolver) which will tend to keep up discipline and
prevent discord. Now, lads, ship your oars and hoist the foresail
close-reefed, and look alive, for it seems to me that we'll have a
squally night."

The effect of this speech was very striking. There is nothing that men
dislike so much, in critical circumstances, where action is necessary,
as uncertainty or want of decision on the part of their leader. The
loss of their ship, and their forlorn, almost desperate condition, had
sunk their spirits so much that an air of apathetic recklessness had,
for a few minutes, crossed the countenances of some of the boldest among
the sailors; but while the captain was speaking this expression passed
away, and when he had finished they all gave one hearty cheer, and
obeyed his orders with alacrity.

In a few minutes the sails, closely reefed, were hoisted, and the
long-boat rushed swiftly over the waves. At first the four boats kept
company--the other three having also made sail--but as darkness set in
they lost sight of each other. The first mate had charge of the
jolly-boat, and the second mate and carpenter had the two others. In
the captain's boat were Will Osten, Larry O'Hale, Goff, Muggins, and
several of the best seamen.

Soon after the sails were set, a heavy sea broke inboard and nearly
filled the boat.

"Bail her out, lads," shouted the captain.

There was no occasion for the order, the men knew their danger well
enough, and every one seized anything that came to hand and began to
bail for life. There was only one bucket on board, and this was
appropriated by the cook, who, being one of the strongest men in the
boat, thought himself entitled to the post of honour, and, truly, the
way in which Larry handled that bucket and showered the water over the
side justified his opinion of himself.

"We must rig up something to prevent that happening again," said Captain
Dall; "set to work, Goff, and cut a slice out of the tarpauli