their limbs? Some of us must stay here, and take care of the
sick."

Everybody admitted that this was true.

"So we get back again," said the captain, "to the old
question--Who among the able-bodied is to go? and who is to stay?
Captain Ebsworth says, and I say, let chance decide it. Here are
dice. The numbers run as high as twelve--double sixes. All who
throw under six, stay; all who throw over six, go. Officers of
the _Wanderer_ and the _Sea-mew_, do you agree to that way of
meeting the difficulty?"

All the officers agreed, with the one exception of Wardour, who
still kept silence.

"Men of the _Wanderer_ and _Sea-mew_, your officers agree to cast
lots. Do you agree too?"

The men agreed without a dissentient voice. Crayford handed the
box and the dice to Captain Helding.

"You throw first, sir. Under six, 'Stay.' Over six, 'Go.'"

Captain Helding cast the dice; the top of the cask serving for a
table. He threw seven.

"Go," said Crayford. "I congratulate you, sir. Now for my own
chance." He cast the dice in his turn. Three! "Stay! Ah, well!
well! if I can do my duty, and be of use to others, what does it