Harry again dropped the launch astern, in obedience to the orders he had received. The sea coming ahead of the ship, she began to pitch violently; the other boats, to avoid the accident which had happened to the second cutter, kept well clear of her. The commander was standing on the poop, and Colonel Morley by his side.
“Is my husband not coming?” asked Mrs Morley, now appearing for the first time aware that she was to be separated from him.
“The colonel will act as duty prompts him,” said Harry.
“Yes, yes; I know he will,” said Mrs Morley, gazing towards the ship. “And he considers it is his duty to remain on board,” she gasped out as she hid her face in her hands, sobs bursting from her bosom.
Harry, still hoping that, as the weather had been moderating, the ship might be kept afloat, determined to hold on to the last. As he looked ahead, however, he saw the heavy rollers continuing to come in from the north-west, while the sky in that direction looked dark and threatening.
Colonel Morley was observed every now and then to cast an anxious gaze at the boat which contained his wife and daughters. How must he have felt at allowing them to go away without him! It must have been a sore trial to his manly heart at all events. The commander was evidently issuing orders to those who remained with him.
“Oh, Mr Shafto, do they not fear that the ship will sink?” exclaimed Miss Morley. “Surely they will not remain on board.”
“They are, I have no doubt, engaged in building rafts,” said Harry. “The people will thus have a chance of saving their lives, for the boats could not take all on board.”
“But my father, my dear father,” exclaimed Miss Morley.
“He will, if possible, remain and try to help those on the rafts,” answered Harry. He could say no more, for he was well aware that till every effort had been made to save his men, Colonel Morley would not desert them.