“Can’t they lower any of the boats?” “Most decidedly. Two boats have been gone some time. I imagined you knew that. Did not the captain tell you?” At another time Elsie would have laughed at the prevalent delusion that she enjoyed Courtenay’s confidence so thoroughly. But she felt that her companion’s glib tone was artificial. Something had occurred which he was keeping from her. She believed that he had gone to the saloon to procure the wine so that she might have what men called Dutch courage when bad news came. “I have not exchanged a dozen words with the captain since you refused my help in the fore cabin,” she said. “He had other matters to attend to than explaining the progress of events to me. Why cannot you trust me? I shall not scream, nor faint, nor hinder you in your work; I ask you again— Where are the others?” “You mean Miss Baring and Mrs. Somerville?” “Yes.” “If they are living, they are far enough away by this time. When their boat was lowered it was cast off prematurely—” “Purposely?” “Well—yes. Courtenay had just placed Miss Baring’s maid on board when some of the crew let go the ropes. What could we do? We were forced to depend on them.” “Is there no other boat?” Christobal threw out his hands in his characteristic gesture. He was so emphatic that he spilled some of the wine. “You take it bravely,” he said. “I may as well give you the whole story. The first boat lowered was lost, through the men’s own bungling, the captain says. Then there was a desperate fight for the three remaining craft. Most of the officers were killed. Courtenay got a few of us together when Isobel and Mrs. Somerville joined you here, and we held off such of the madmen as tried to seize the jolly-boat. They managed to lower two life-boats, but, between murder and panic, not half of the crew escaped in that way. Four men, who were left behind, promised obedience, and Malcolm, the steward, was placed in charge, with Mr. Gray as second in command. One of the engineers, acting on the captain’s orders, brought a can of oil from the engine-room and threw it over the side in handfuls. The result was magical. We lowered the boat easily, placed Monsieur de Poincilit on board, because he was worse than the women, and then Courtenay, as you know, brought Isobel, the minister’s wife—who refused to go without her husband—and the maid. There was room for you and another, so, at the captain’s request, Tollemache and I tossed for the vacancy. Meanwhile, Courtenay had turned to go for you, when we heard a shout from Gray; two of the Chileans had cast off the ropes which kept the boat alongside. Gray, who was fending her from the ship with the boat-hook, jabbed one fellow in the face with it; but he was too late. The boat raced off into the darkness. And here we are!”