"Every man for himself, and God for us all," muttered Scadbolt trying to fan the flame.
"Then the strongest man would crush the rest, and might would take the place of right," continued the captain, beginning to see that he had made a mistake in listening so patiently to Scadbolt. "We were never nearer to death than we are this day; but shall that make us forget that we are men? Shall that turn us into brutes? We have helpless women depending upon us, and upon our manliness. They shall be shown no favor in the way of provisions; they shall divide equally with us, share and share alike. But, by God, the one who seeks to deny them their fair chance of life, dies by my hand!"
"I am with you, captain," cried Rough-and-Ready.
"And I," said Joshua.
"And I," said the sailor who had been twice wrecked.
"And I," "And I," from most of the rest.
"Decided, then, that all food that may be found in air or water shall be added to the general stock, and shall be fairly and equally divided."
Scadbolt did not dare demur.
"Rule 4. That, recognizing the full extent of our dread peril, and knowing that death stares us in the face, we resolve to die like men, if it be God's will; and thus resolving, we solemnly declare that, supposing all our food to be gone, we will not eat human flesh"--
A shudder ran round the attentive group, and Mrs. Pigeon fainted; but Captain Liddle proceeded firmly,--