“I am glad to have you with us,” he said earnestly. “We will die or live together.” Next came Professor Hemenway. “Put me down as the third,” he said. “Harry, we sailed together, and we will remain together to the end.” “I go in the boat,” said John Appleton. “I have a great respect for Mr. Holdfast, but I defer to the captain’s judgment as superior.” He went over and ranged himself beside the captain. “You are a sensible man, sir,” said Captain Hill, with a scornful glance at the mate and the passengers who sided with him. “Mr. Holdfast can go down with the ship, if he desires. I prefer to cut loose from a doomed vessel.” Marmaduke Timmins, the invalid, looked more sallow and nervous than ever. He had swallowed a pill while the others were speaking, to give himself confidence. “I will go with the captain,” he said. “My life is likely to be short, for my diseases are many, but I owe it to myself to do my best to save it.” “In deciding to go with me, you are doing your best, sir,” said Captain Hill. He had not hitherto paid much attention to Mr. Timmins, whom he looked upon as a crank on the subject of health, but he was disposed to look upon him now with more favor. At this moment Montgomery Clinton appeared at the head of the stairs. The poor fellow was pale, and disheveled, and tottered from weakness. “What’s going on?” he asked, feebly. Harry took it upon himself to explain, using as few words as possible. “Will you go with the captain, or stay on the Nantucket?” asked Harry. “Really, I couldn’t stand sailing in a little boat, you know.” “That’s settled, then!” said the captain. “Into the boats with you!” The sailors and two passengers lowered themselves into the long boat, which was large enough to receive them all, till only Jack Pendleton and the captain remained. “Get in, boy!” said the captain, harshly. Jack stepped back, and said, manfully: “I will remain on board the ship, sir.” While this discussion had been going on, the boat was being stored with kegs of water and provisions, and soon after the sailors began to ply the oars. The little band that remained looked silently and solemnly, as they saw their late companions borne farther and farther away from them on the crested waves. “It’s a question which will last longer, the ship or the boat,” said Mr. Holdfast. “We must work--I know that,” said Mr. Stubbs. “Captain Holdfast, I salute you as my commander. Give us your orders.” “Are you all agreed, gentlemen?” asked Holdfast. “We are,” answered all except Montgomery Clinton, who was clinging to the side with a greenish pallor on his face. “Then I shall set you to work at the pumps. Jack I assign you and the professor to duty first. You will work an hour; then Mr. Stubbs and Mr. Vane will relieve you. I will look out for the vessel’s course.” “I am afraid I couldn’t pump,” said Montgomery Clinton. “I feel so awfully weak, you know, I think I’m going to die!”