He looked round, and saw Webster standing by the engineer.
“Come, Jim, my boy,” he said to the Lieutenant, “it is your duty to save Miss Anstrade.”
Webster moved forward with a strange look in his face.
“Remember Loo,” he said hoarsely, “and let me stay here.”
“It cannot be, my lad. Good-bye, my boy, good-bye, and tell her I did what she would expect me to. Up.” He almost forced Webster to the ladder, then turned.
“Mr Dixon,” he said, and looked at the engineer. “If I could spare you I would, for it’s death before us.”
The engineer smiled softly.
“I am not sorry, Captain,” he said, “for I understand.”
He took one last look round at the wide sea and crimson heavens, then his lips moved, he turned to grasp the Captain’s outstretched hand, and the two men looked into one another’s eyes.
A pale figure of a man slipped out of the door and made furtively for the steps.