"Listing badly to port and settling by the stern."
"Better get your boats over while you have the time. Shall we put over a boat?"
"No; we can manage to get away if she goes."
"I tell you, you're going down! Get away while you've got the time."
"All right; stand by."
"Can I do anything, sir?" asked Steve.
"Yes; go aft and take two men with you. Take the boat and cast off. Lay well away from the ship and give me a hail, so I'll know where you are. Stand by and, mind you, don't drift away and get lost. We'll never pick you up in this fog if you do. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Order Jarvis up to the bridge."