Before this young hero the, crowd of senseless, rushing brutes
recoiled as from a fire.

He pursued and secured his victory with a few words:

"Are you men? If so, before all, let helpless childhood, and feeble
womanhood, and venerable age be saved; and then you. I demand of you
no more than I am willing to do myself. I will be the last to leave
the wreck. I will see you all in safety before I attempt to save my
own life."

So great is the power of heroism over all, that even these brutal
men, so selfish, senseless, and impetuous a moment before, were now
subdued; nay, some of them were inspired and raised a hurrah.

Fear of a possible reaction among the steerage passengers, however,
caused old Captain Mountz, Judge Merlin, Mr. Brudenell, Dr. Kerr,
Jem Morris, the Jew, and several others to come to the support of
Ishmael. Among the rest the captain of the steamer came.

"Young man, you have saved all our lives," he said.

Ishmael slowly bowed his head.

"I hope that God has saved you all," he answered.

The sailors were now busy getting down the lifeboats. It was but the
work of a very few minutes.

"Let the ladies and children be brought forward," ordered the