"Ah, that is better," said the doctor. "Now, if you don't mind, we
shall have the door closed."
With peace suddenly restored to the room, and her faculties helped more
than she suspected, Elsie began to wonder what had happened.
"Where are the others?" she asked; "and why are you taking things so
coolly? Captain Courtenay said--"
"Captain Courtenay said exactly what he meant. But circumstances
proved too strong for him. We shall not be able to leave the ship just
yet."
"Can't they lower any of the boats?"
"Most decidedly. Two boats have been gone some time. I imagined you
knew that. Did not the captain tell you?"
At another time Elsie would have laughed at the prevalent delusion that
she enjoyed Courtenay's confidence so thoroughly. But she felt that
her companion's glib tone was artificial. Something had occurred which
he was keeping from her. She believed that he had gone to the saloon
to procure the wine so that she might have what men called Dutch
courage when bad news came.
"I have not exchanged a dozen words with the captain since you refused
my help in the fore cabin," she said. "He had other matters to attend
to than explaining the progress of events to me. Why cannot you trust
me? I shall not scream, nor faint, nor hinder you in your work; I ask
you again-- Where are the others?"
"You mean Miss Baring and Mrs. Somerville?"
"Yes."
"If they are living, they are far enough away by this time. When their
boat was lowered it was cast off prematurely--"
"Purposely?"
"Well--yes. Courtenay had just placed Miss Baring's maid on board when
some of the crew let go the ropes. What could we do? We were forced
to depend on them."
"Is there no other boat?"
Christobal threw out his hands in his characteristic gesture. He was
so emphatic that he spilled some of the wine.
"You take it bravely," he said. "I may as well give you the whole
story. The first boat lowered was lost, through the men's own
bungling, the captain says. Then there was a desperate fight for the
three remaining craft. Most of the officers were killed. Courtenay
got a few of us together when Isobel and Mrs. Somerville joined you
here, and we held off such of the madmen as tried to seize the
jolly-boat. They managed to lower two life-boats, but, between murder
and panic, not half of the crew escaped in that way. Four men, who
were left behind, promised obedience, and Malcolm, the steward, was
placed in charge, with Mr. Gray as second in command. One of the
engineers, acting on the captain's orders, brought a can of oil from
the engine-room and threw it over the side in handfuls. The result was
magical. We lowered the boat easily, placed Monsieur de Poincilit on
board, because he was worse than the women, and then Courtenay, as you
know, brought Isobel, the minister's wife--who refused to go without
her husband--and the maid. There was room for you and another, so, at
the captain's request, Tollemache and I tossed for the vacancy.
Meanwhile, Courtenay had turned to go for you, when we heard a shout
from Gray; two of the Chileans had cast off the ropes which kept the
boat alongside. Gray, who was fending her from the ship with the
boat-hook, jabbed one fellow in the face with it; but he was too late.
The boat raced off into the darkness. And here we are!"