"It is a miracle!" he exclaimed.
"No," replied Jack calmly, "not a miracle; rather, the courage and bravery of the sons of Britain are responsible for this good fortune."
He turned his eyes upon the floating wreckage. Not a survivor was in sight. "Poor fellows!" he said, half aloud, "may they rest in peace!"
At this moment the chief engineer came rushing on deck. Blood streamed down his face and one arm hung limp at his side.
"The engines are out of commission, sir," he reported, "and there is three feet of water in the engine-room. The ship is sinking!"
Jack drew himself up to his full height and shouted out his orders:
"Man the boats!" he cried.
He called the second and third officers.
"Look after the wounded," he commanded. "See that they are all placed in the boats. Release the prisoners, but they must shift for themselves."
"And the dead, sir?" questioned the second office.