"What d'ye say, my lads?"

"A glass of grog or two would do us more," replied the seaman. "What
d'ye say, my boys? I don't think that the captain would refuse us, poor
fellow, if he could speak."

"What do you mean to do, my lads?" inquired Mackintosh: "not get drunk,
I hope?"

"Why not?" observed another of the men; "the ship must go down soon."

"Perhaps she may - I will not deny it," said Mackintosh; "but that is
no reason why we should not be saved: now, if you get drunk, there is
no chance of any one being saved, and my life is precious to me. I'm
ready to join with you in anything you please, and you may decide what
is to be done; but get drunk you shall not, if I can help it, that's
certain."

"And how can you help it?" replied one of the seamen, surlily.

"Because two resolute men can do a great deal - I may say three, for in
this instance Ready will be of my side, and I can call to my assistance
the cabin passenger - recollect the firearms are all in the cabin. But
why should we quarrel? - Say at once what you intend to do; and if you
have not made up your minds, will you listen to what I propose?"

As Mackintosh's courage and determination were well known, the seamen
again consulted together, and then asked him what he proposed.

"We have one good boat left, the new yawl at the booms: the others, as