to Ready, and whispering to him, "it is madness:- come away, man!"

"Good-bye, Mr. Mackintosh," replied Ready, extending his hand. "You
will keep your promise?"

After much further expostulation on the part of Mackintosh and the
seamen, to which Ready gave a deaf ear, the boat was pushed off, and
they made sail to the north-east.



Chapter VII

For some time after the boat had shoved off from the ship, old Ready
remained with his arms folded, watching it in silence. Mr. Seagrave
stood by him; his heart was too full for utterance, for he imagined
that as the boat increased her distance from the vessel, so did every
ray of hope depart, and that his wife and children, himself, and the
old man who was by his side were doomed to perish. His countenance was
that of a man in utter despair. At last old Ready spoke.

"They think that they will be saved and that we must perish, Mr.
Seagrave; they forget that there is a Power above, who will himself
decide that point - a power compared to which the efforts of weak man
are as nought."

"True," replied Mr. Seagrave, in a low voice; "but still what chance we
can have on a sinking ship, with so many helpless creatures around us,
I confess I cannot imagine."