THE PUMPS DISABLED--THE WOMEN PLACED IN BOATS--YOUNGER OFFICERS AND BOYS SENT AWAY--THE CAPTAIN AND COLONEL REMAIN--THE CAPTAIN'S LETTER--CHILD SAVED BY YOUNG BROKE--SHIP DRIVING ON LAUNCH--ESCAPE OF LAUNCH--VOYAGE IN BOATS COMMENCED--LAST SIGHT OF "RANGER"--MRS RUMBELOW ENCOURAGES HER COMPANIONS--BOATS RUNNING BEFORE THE GALE--MRS MORLEY'S GRIEF--A CABIN FORMED FOR THE WOMEN--A SEA BREAKS ON BOARD--SEARCH FOR PROVISIONS-- FIRST NIGHT IN THE BOAT--HARRY SHAFTO AT THE HELM--THE WEATHER MODERATES--IMPOSSIBILITY OF RETURNING TO THE SHIP--SCARCITY OF WATER-- THE DOCTOR MANUFACTURES A STILL--VARIOUS PROVISIONS DISCOVERED. Dreary as was the night, it was happily of no long duration. Daylight again appeared; but the scene was as forlorn and threatening as that of the previous morning. While the first-lieutenant and Harry Shafto, and some of the other officers, were engaged in examining the boats and clearing them of lumber, the purser was busily employed in collecting provisions, and separating those of various description, so that each boat might be supplied with a sufficiency, in due proportion. "The boats will not carry a quarter of our number," observed Harry to the first-lieutenant. "No, Shafto," was the answer. "We know that. The captain has decided who is to go in each of them. Then we who remain must form rafts, and do the best we can to save our lives." "Should the ship sink beneath us!" observed Harry. "I fear, in this cold and stormy sea, that a raft would be of no real service, though it might prolong our existence for a few hours." "We, however, must do our best to preserve the lives of the poor people committed to our charge," said Mr Tobin. "We certainly must do that, if possible," said Harry; "and it seems to me that the sea has gone down a little since daybreak; I have been watching it anxiously." "I agree with you, Shafto," replied Mr Tobin. "The wind has lessened considerably within the last half-hour, and though we may not be able to keep the old ship afloat, there is a better prospect of the boats escaping." Some time was occupied in getting the boats ready; oars, masts, and sails were put into each; tackles were rove for hoisting them out; but Commander Newcombe was unwilling to give the order to lower them while there seemed a prospect of the ship floating and the sea going down.