“We must lower the ladies first,” said a voice from the entrance port. “Stand ready to receive them, there is no time to be lost.”
“All right,” answered Denham, looking up.
At the same moment a chair was lowered from the entrance port. In an instant, the occupant, a young lady, was released and placed in the boat. Again the chair ascended, and another was lowered in the same way. Denham, giving one glance at her countenance, saw that she was fair and young, and having placed her in security, he had to attend to those who followed. Three others were immediately lowered together.
“Now, my lord,” said the voice of an officer, “you must go into the boat.”
“No, no, not till all the females are out of the ship,” was the answer.
“They are being placed in the other boats; there is no time to be lost; let me entreat you to descend,” said the officer.
“Well, if I must go, I will obey you,” answered the nobleman who had been addressed, “but I trust all on board here will escape.” As he spoke he was lowered down into the boat.
“Come, some of you youngsters, follow him,” said a voice; “there will be but little time for the boats to make many trips between the ships; come, I say, obey orders.”
At that moment five or six young midshipmen came tumbling into the boat, which now being more than sufficiently laden, pulled back to the frigate.
“I am very glad you are here, Lord Kilfinnan,” said one of them, “and I hope Lady Nora has not been very much frightened. It has been terrible work though, and I am afraid the old bark will not swim much longer.”