"No, Lord Holmhurst, it is not all. The boats will hold
something over three hundred people. There are about one thousand souls
aboard the Kangaroo, of whom more than three hundred are women and
children."
"Therefore the men must drown," said Lord Holmhurst, quietly. "God's
will be done!"
"Your Lordship will, of course, take a place in the boats?" said the
captain, hurriedly. "I have ordered them to be prepared, and,
fortunately, day is breaking. I rely upon you to explain matters to the
owners if you escape, and clear my character. The boats must make for
Kerguelen Land. It is about seventy miles to the eastward."
"You must give your message to someone else, captain," was the answer; "I
shall stay and share the fate of the other men."
There was no pomposity about Lord Holmhurst now--all that had gone--and
nothing but the simple gallant nature of the English gentleman remained.
"No, no," said the captain, as they hurried aft, pushing their way
through the fear-distracted crowd. "Have you got your revolver?"
"Yes."
"Well, then, keep it handy; you may have to use it presently: they will
try and rush the boats."
By this time the grey dawn was slowly breaking, throwing a cold and
ghastly light upon the hideous scene of terror.
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