He did not stop to ask himself if solicitude for the unfortunates
wounded in the fight were of any avail. His mind was clear, the habit
of command strong in him. Not until the sea claimed him would he cease
to rule. The clank of pulleys, the cries of the sailors heaving at the
ropes, told him that the crew were at work. At last he was free to go
to the bridge.
He found the quarter-master in the chart-house, on his knees. When the
ship struck, the officer of the watch had been thrown headlong to port.
Recovering his feet before a tumbling sea could fling him overboard, he
hauled himself out of danger just in time to take part in the fray on
deck. He came back now, hurrying to join the captain. Courtenay,
standing in the shelter of the chart-house, was peering through the
flying scud to leeward. The sea was darker there than it had been for
hours. Around the ship the surface was milk-like with foam, but beyond
the area of the shoal there seemed to be a remote chance for a boat to
live.
"We 're on a sort of breakwater, sir," said the second officer.
"Seems like it. Is the ship hard and fast?"
"I am afraid so."
"I think the weather is moderating. Go and see how the barometer
stands."
"Steady improvement, sir," came the report.
"Any water coming in?"
"Mr. Walker said he thought not."
"Perhaps it doesn't matter. Try to get the first life-boat lowered.
Let her carry as many extra hands as possible. We have lost two boats.
But do not send any women in her. If all is well, let them go in the
next one. Take charge of that yourself."
"Would you mind tying this handkerchief tightly just here, sir?"
The second officer held out his left forearm.
"Were you knifed, too?" asked Courtenay.
"It is not much, but I am losing a good deal of blood."
"The brutes--the unreasoning brutes!" muttered the captain. As he
knotted the linen into a rough tourniquet the other asked: "Shall I report to you when the first boat gets away, sir?"
"No need. I shall see what happens. When she is clear I shall bring
the ladies to you."
Pride of race helped these men to talk as collectedly as if the ship
were laid alongside a Thames wharf. They knew not the instant the
Kansas might lift again and turn turtle, yet they did not dream of
deviating a hair's breadth from their duties. The second officer went
aft to carry out the captain's instructions. Courtenay followed a
little way, passing to leeward of the chart-house, until he reached his
own quarters. There was no door on that side, but light streamed
through a couple of large port-holes across which the curtains had not
been drawn. He looked in. Elsie was leaning against the table to
balance herself on the sloping deck. She held Joey in her arms. She
seemed to be talking to the dog, who answered in his own way, by trying
to lick her face. The glass was so blurred that Courtenay could not
see that she was crying.