weather--"

"We will take them back, Burns," I said shortly, and he assented
mechanically:--

"Aye, aye, sir."

Just how it was to be done was a difficult thing to decide. Miss
Lee had not appeared yet, and the three of us, Jones, Burns, and I,
talked it over. Jones suggested that we put them in one of the
life boats, and nail over it a canvas and tarpaulin cover.

"It ain't my own idea," he said modestly. "I seen it done once, on
the Argentina. It worked all right for a while, and after a week or
so we lowered the jolly-boat and towed it astern."

I shuddered; but the idea was a good one, and I asked Burns to go
up and get the boat ready.

"We must let the women up this afternoon," I said, "and, if it is
possible, try to keep them from learning where the bodies are. We
can rope off a part of the deck for them, and ask them not to leave
it."

Miss Lee came out then, and Burns went on deck.

The girl was looking better. The exertion of dressing had brought
back her color, and her lips, although firmly set, were not drawn.
She stood just outside the door and drew a deep breath.