"Why, then, shell I go in der boads, Simon?"
"For mens I say der foolishness. All der womans go in der boads, Meenie."
"I shell not go in der boads mitout you, Simon."
"Go in the boat, and take him with you, if you can, Mrs. Weiscopf," whispered Cadogan, and hurried on.
He came onto the boat-deck in the rear of the saloon passengers already gathered there. The first boat was clear. An officer stood at the stern of it. "Women and children!" he was calling out, and there was a rush to fill it.
"I don't see many children," said a voice.
"Do you ever—in saloon?" retorted another.
Cadogan, recognizing the second voice as Meade's, and seeing that he was also in the rear of the crowd, stepped over beside him.
The boat was filled, and lowered in jumps and jerks. The passengers moved to the next boat. Half a dozen ship's men and an officer stood by.
"They're taking enough of the crew along," observed Meade.