duty. Not one hung back, or came before the other. I now whispered to
John Steadiman, "John, I stand at the gangway here, to see every soul on
board safe over the side. You shall have the next post of honour, and
shall be the last but one to leave the ship. Bring up the passengers,
and range them behind me; and put what provision and water you can got
at, in the boats. Cast your eye for'ard, John, and you'll see you have
not a moment to lose."

My noble fellows got the boats over the side as orderly as I ever saw
boats lowered with any sea running, and, when they were launched, two or
three of the nearest men in them as they held on, rising and falling with
the swell, called out, looking up at me, "Captain Ravender, if anything
goes wrong with us, and you are saved, remember we stood by you!"--"We'll
all stand by one another ashore, yet, please God, my lads!" says I. "Hold
on bravely, and be tender with the women."

The women were an example to us. They trembled very much, but they were
quiet and perfectly collected. "Kiss me, Captain Ravender," says Mrs.
Atherfield, "and God in heaven bless you, you good man!" "My dear," says
I, "those words are better for me than a life-boat." I held her child in
my arms till she was in the boat, and then kissed the child and handed
her safe down. I now said to the people in her, "You have got your
freight, my lads, all but me, and I am not coming yet awhile. Pull away
from the ship, and keep off!"

That was the Long-boat. Old Mr. Rarx was one of her complement, and he
was the only passenger who had greatly misbehaved since the ship struck.
Others had been a little wild, which was not to be wondered at, and not
very blamable; but, he had made a lamentation and uproar which it was
dangerous for the people to hear, as there is always contagion in