Lifeboat No. 4 was the second boat on the port side—the leeward side. No. 3 was buried under the tangle of wreckage from the collapse of the foremast, and therefore useless. The boat was already in the water, with the mate and four seamen aboard, when Matheson, who had hurried below, came again on deck with Olaf in his arms. Behind him panted the stewardess and Olive's maid, terrified and clutching some worthless finery of hers.
"Women and children to No. 4!" shouted the captain.
"I won't go without you!" cried Olive to her husband, clinging tight to him.
The captain wasted no precious moments on argument. He thrust the stewardess and the trembling maid before him, and stout arms bundled them down to the plunging boat. Then he passed down the little boy.
"Is there room for all of us?" cried Olive.
"No!"
The mate cast off, and lifeboat No. 4 disappeared into the black night.
"Haul on the main and mizzen sheets!" ordered the captain, to bring the yacht round and get a leeward launch for Nos. 1 and 2.
Presently the two crackling sails gybed over with a thud, and the "Starlight" lay on the starboard tack, head down and filling rapidly.
"Hurry like hell!" shouted the captain.