"There is not a man of this crew, Miss," he said, "but would do anything
for you. Not one but would risk his life for you in a right-down manful
fight. But we are not ready to die like dogs, and that when maybe no
good whatever would come of it; and we don't hold that, just on the
chance of saving seven lives, we are called upon to risk losing thirty."
Jane turned round with a different expression on her face. I never saw
any one look like it, and never shall again; but it seemed to me that
her face all shone, and she said:
"Then, father, we at least can do our duty, and our place is there."
Her father understood her.
"You are right, Jane, quite right, my child. Captain, will you give us
one of the boats? I and my wife and daughter will go on board that
ship. Will you leave our things at the Cape when you touch there, for
us to pick up, if it is God's will we ever reach the land?"
The captain stood like one dumb; then I said: "Captain Peters, as it
seems that there are no officers on board the ship, I will, if you will
give me permission, go on board her also and take charge."
"Very well, Mr. Thompson; if such is your wish I shall certainly not
oppose it, and I honour you for the proposal."
"Can you spare me four men, sir, if I can get them to volunteer?"
The captain nodded, and I turned to the men.
"My lads," I said, "Mr. Williams, his wife and daughter, are going on
board that ship; they are going to leave _The Two Brothers_ for good,
and to throw in their lot with those poor wretches there. With the
captain's permission I am going to take command of her, and I want four
volunteers to go with me. I want no men with wives and children
dependent upon them, for we shall be taking our lives in our hands. I
want four men who have no one to grieve for them at home if they die in
doing their duty. I want four true English hearts who will imitate the
example set them by these ladies."
Eight of the men stepped forward at once. Sailors are curious creatures.
There wasn't one of them but had shrunk from the idea, of the
introduction of fever on board _The Two Brothers_; but to go on board
the pest-stricken vessel was an act of heroism which they were ready to
perform. Besides, though they had refused to respond to the appeal of
Jane Williams, and had held together as a body, there was not one of
them who did not at heart feel ashamed at being beaten in courage by a
girl. The eight men who stepped forward were, I believe, the only
unmarried men among the crew, and I believe that had I asked them there
wasn't a man but would have gone.
I chose four of them, and in a few minutes they had got their kits out
of the fo'castle and placed them in one of the boats. The steward
brought the boxes from the passengers' cabin, and the captain ordered a
barrel of vinegar and a keg of powder to be hoisted into the boat. Just
as the men were getting ready to lower her from the davits, the sailor
who had acted as spokesman came forward.
"Captain Peters, the men wants me to say as they have changed their
minds and are ready to go off and bring those men on board. It isn't in
nature for men to stand by and see themselves beaten by two women."
We had a short consultation, but Mr. Williams pointed out that the plan
arranged was the best, as only those who went on board the ship were
running a risk; while if the men were brought on board _The Two
Brothers_ the whole crew might be carried off.
"Thank you, men, for your offer," he said to them, when we had talked it
over; "but the other plan is clearly the best, and I ask each and all of
you to offer up a prayer to Almighty God that He will protect us in this
work which we undertake for His sake."
The clergyman uncovered, as did every man on board, and you could have
heard a pin drop as he prayed. Then those who were to go took their
places in the boat, and as the skipper handed in the ladies, every man
stood bareheaded. Not a word was said. I don't think any one could
have trusted himself to speak. I gave the word, the boat was lowered,
and the falls unhooked.
"God bless you all!" the captain said in a broken voice.
There was a sort of murmur from the rest, and I don't believe there was
a dry eye on the ship as we rowed away.