"He was steering due south, and I told
him to make it southwest by south."
But little more could be said on the point, for it was feared that
the schooner would go down at any moment.
"We must man the boats," said the captain. "Bring up the provisions
and the kegs of water, and be quick about it."
"Are we near land?" asked Dick.
"There should be some islands four or five miles south of this spot,"
answered Captain Blossom.
Now that there was danger of going down some of the sailors seemed
to grow crazy. Half a dozen tumbled into one of the boats and began
to lower it of their own accord.
"Stand back there!" shouted the captain. "The girls must go first."
"Not much!" shouted one of the sailors. "It's everybody for himself
now!" And in a moment more the small boat had left the ship's side
and disappeared in the darkness.
There were three other boats and the remaining sailors, along with
the first mate and Dan Baxter, wanted to crowd into these. But Captain
Blossom said he would shoot the first man who tried to row away
without his orders. Then some provisions were put into the boats,
and the captain divided the whole company among the three boats.
"Let us stay together, captain," pleaded Dick. "We can row."
"And what of the girls, Rover?"
"Let us go with the Rover boys," pleaded Dora, and Nellie and Grace
said the same. Old Jerry also stood by his friends.
While this talk was going on there was a rush for two of the boats,
and before Captain Blossom could do anything his men were off, taking
Jack Lesher and Dan Baxter with them.
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