Sukie De Boos, whose firm, rounded bosom and strong square shoulders made a startling contrast, as they revealed their shape under her soddened blouse, to Mrs. Lacy’s fragile figure, impulsively put her hands out, and taking Mrs. Lacy’s face between them, kissed her twice.

“Dear Mrs. Lacy,” she said, “don’t be frightened, please.  Now get Mr. Lacy’s pipe, and I’ll rummage the steward’s pantry and get some food for us all to eat.  Mr. Otway told me to tell you and Miss Weidermann to eat something, as maybe we may not get anything for some hours.  So I’m just going to stay here and see that every one does eat.  I’ll set you a good example.”

In a few minutes she laid upon the table an assortment of tinned meats, bread, and some bottled beer, and some brandy for Father Roget and Lacy.  Otway came down, followed by the steward, and nodded approval.

“That’s right, Sukie.  Eat as much as you can.  I’ll take a drink myself.  Here’s luck to you, Sukie.  Perhaps we won’t have to make up a boating party after all.  But there’s nothing like being ready.  So will you, Mr. Lacy, lend a hand here with the steward, and pass up our provisions to the second mate?  The captain will be down in a minute, and will tell you ladies what clothing to get ready.  For my part I’ll be jolly glad if we do have to take to the boats, where we shall be nice and comfy, instead of rolling about in this beastly way—­I’ll be sea-sick in another ten minutes.  Old Bruce says he felt sick an hour ago.  Come on, steward.”

The assumed cheerfulness of his manner produced a good effect, and even old Miss Weidermann plucked up heart a little as she saw him nonchalantly light a cigar as he disappeared with the steward below into the lazzarette.

On deck Robertson and the mate were talking in low tones, as they assisted the second mate with the boats.  There was now nearly three feet of water in the hold, and every one knew that the barque could not keep afloat much longer.  Fortunately the violence of the wind had decreased somewhat, though there was still a mountainous sea.

Both the old mate and the captain knew that the two small quarter boats would be dangerously overladen, and their unspoken fears were shared by the rest of the officers and crew.  But another hour would perhaps make a great difference; and then as the two men were speaking a savage sea smote the Tucopia on the starboard bow, with such violence that she trembled in every timber, and as she staggered under the shock and then rolled heavily to windward, she dipped the starboard quarter boat under the water; it filled, and as she rose again, boat and davits went away together.

Robertson groaned and looked at the mate.

“It is God’s will, sir,” said the old Scotsman quietly.

Robertson nodded.  “Tell Allen and the others to come here,” he said.

The Tynesider, followed by Captain Burr, Otway, and the carpenter, came.