captain. And the women and children, some screaming, some weeping,
and some dumb with terror, were lowered into one of the boats.

"Now the nearest male relatives of these ladies to the same boat,"
was the captain's next order.

And Dr. Kerr and about a dozen other gentlemen presented themselves,
and were lowered into the boat, where they were received with
hysterical cries of mingled joy and fear by the women.

And all this time the sea was dashing fearfully over the wreck, and
at every interval the planks of the deck upon which they clung were
felt to swell and sway as if they were about to part.

"Now the old men!" shouted the captain.

Ishmael took Judge Merlin by the arm, and with gentle coercion
passed them on to the sailors, who lowered him into the boat.

Then Captain Mountz and several other old men, and many who were not
old, but were willing to appear so "for this occasion only,"
followed and were passed down into the boat.

Then Ishmael looked around in concern. The professor was lingering
in the background.

"Come here, Morris! You certainly fall under the head of "'old
men,'" he said, taking the professor by the elbow and gently pushing
him forward.