"I will take charge here," he said. "I cannot ask Thayer to take on such a responsibility. I am sure it is not necessary to tell you that there is not room enough in this boat for all of you. If rescue ships arrive in time, those who must remain behind will be taken off. If not--I realize that no human being has the right arbitrarily to send some men to life and keep others for possible death. But since choice of some sort is necessary to avoid a panic which might result in unnecessary deaths, I shall choose which ones are to enter this boat, as nearly as possible according to the random positions in which you are now standing. Anyone trying to change his place will be shot!" No one moved. No one spoke. "Thayer, you will send in two crewmen to help run the boat. You yourself will be the last man in, to take command. As for the rest--" He paused, wiped his hand over his reddened eyes, and staggered. In a few seconds he had regained control of himself, and with shoulders erect he pointed his arm and called out, "You go, and you, and you, and you...." Alan heard a low chuckle behind him, and turned to find Professor Larrabee. "What a climax, my boy! Do you believe in premonitions, now?" "Why haven't you gone?" "Too old, Alan. I don't want to go. My life is done. But I can't say I really mind. It's been a wonderful adventure, sharing the life and death of the _Star Lord_." The boat was nearly half full when the tense quiet was broken by the treble voice of a child. Captain Evans whirled to face the corridor, along which came Tanya, holding to the hands of the two smallest children, while the others clung tightly to the stiff folds of her taffeta gown. His stare was ghastly. "Miss Taganova! I thought you'd gone! Where have you been? And why weren't these children sent off in the other boats? Didn't you hear the warnings?" "Somebody's always scolding me for being late," said Tanya, lightly. "But I really couldn't help it. These children seem to have been abandoned by the nursemaids and lost or forgotten by their parents. I have been trying to amuse them until it seemed safe to bring them to you. If I'd come before they would have been trampled to death." "Well, luckily it's not too late. In you go, the lot of you." The six youngsters were scrambling through the port, and the Captain had resumed his "You, and you, and you...." when Alan darted forward and clasped Tanya's hand. "I just want you to know," he whispered. "If the _Star Lord_ had gone on to port I'd never have dared say it. But since it can't matter now, Tanya--I'd like you to know--" She smiled. "I know, Alan. I've known it for many days. And I'd have made a good doctor's wife, I think!" Her lips were trembling as she turned away and entered the port. "Dr. Chase!" roared the Captain. "What are you doing here? You were supposed to go on Boat D!" "There isn't room for all of us, Captain. I thought the healthy men should have the preference. I prefer to stay here."