“Mr Steve—doctor!” said Johannes suddenly, “there will be a rush for the shrouds when the nip comes, and it will be every man for himself.”
“Yes, of course,” said Mr Handscombe.
“Let them go that way; you both follow me.”
“Where?” said Steve huskily.
“For that boat;” and he nodded toward the one swinging from the davits on the port side.
“What for, man?” said the doctor coldly. “The boat must be crushed, like the ship.”
“Not before I have had time to reach the top of the ice from it. I have been measuring the distance, and I can do it and reach down to lend you both a hand up.”
“Hah! Yes!” exclaimed Steve, forgetting the cold and numbness now in the excitement of seeing a way to escape. “But the captain—tell him.”
“There is no need,” said the Norseman; “he is cleverer than I, and will know what to do. Besides, he will not stir till every man is safe; an English captain never does.”
“But—” began Steve.