A sailor approached and took his stand alongside the two lads. "Neither will I go," he said quietly. A second sailor fell in line, the engineer, another sailor, the chief gunner's mate, until finally the entire crew of the D-16 had expressed their determination to die with their commander. Now the German prisoner spoke. "It is useless for us all to die," he said quietly. "Why not draw lots and see who shall stay? That is fair to all. I myself shall draw with you." Each member of the crew looked at the other. Slowly all nodded their heads. "I protest," said Lord Hastings. "I am the commander of this ship, and shall be obeyed." "This is one time, sir," said one of the sailors, "when we shall refuse to obey your orders. Let us draw lots." "One moment, men, before we draw," said Jack. "I just want to say that Frank here and myself have been close chums. If I should happen to have to stay, I want his word, and that of Lord Hastings, that neither will insist on staying with me." Frank looked at Lord Hastings, and the latter looked back at Frank. "I agree," said Lord Hastings finally, "with the proviso that the same rule applies should I have to stay." "And I agree under the same conditions," said Frank. "Good!" said Jack briskly. "Now as to the method. How shall we draw?" An old sailor stepped forward. "If you please, sir," he said, "I have an old pack of cards in my pocket." "Very well," said Jack, "a pack of cards will serve as well as anything else. Just how shall we decide?" The sailor spoke again. "There are twenty-six of us here," he said, "because I have counted us all up. In the pack of cards are fifty-two--two to a man. Let the ace of spades be the death card. Whoever draws the ace of spades stays." "So be it," said Lord Hastings. "Give me the deck, Grigsby." Grigsby produced a dirty and grimy pack of playing cards, and gave it to Lord Hastings. Slowly the commander of the D-16 counted the cards to make sure they were all there, then shuffled them gently. Next he placed the deck in the center of the table in the middle of the room and turned to Frank. "Cut," he directed briefly. Frank advanced to the table with steady tread, and with as steady a hand cut the cards. "Now," said Lord Hastings, "let us all stand around the table, and, each in turn, draw a card. The man who draws the ace of spades stays. Is it understood?" There was a general nod of assent, and all gathered around the table. Lord Hastings stood first, next was Jack, then Frank, then the German prisoner and following him the sailors. "I shall draw the first card," said Lord Hastings, "and then the draw shall pass around to my left. Here goes!" Midst a death-like silence he stretched forth a hand and drew a card, which he exposed to the view of all. It was the ace of clubs. Jack stretched forth a steady hand, and drew the two of spades. Frank drew the five of clubs, and the German the ace of diamonds.