Soon the three women were with Elsie
in the cabin. Isobel, by sheer reaction from her previous hysteria,
was sullen now, and heedless of all considerations save her own misery.
When she set eyes on Elsie she snapped out:
"You here!"
"Yes. Captain Courtenay brought me to his cabin after our return from
the fore saloon."
"Oh, did he? And he left me with those devils beneath!"
They both heard Courtenay's hurried order:
"Leave the ladies here until we can come for them. Follow me at once."
The door slammed behind the men. Even the missionary was fired to
action by Courtenay's manner. Elsie helped Mrs. Somerville to a chair.
Then she turned to Isobel, and said gently:
"It is a slight thing to discuss when any moment may be our last, but
the captain placed me here while he went to bring you. He had gone
only a few seconds when the ship struck."
The crest of a wave combed over the upper works and pounded the solid
beams and planks of the cabin until they creaked. The ship lifted
somewhat as the sea enveloped her.
"Oh, this is awful!" shrieked Isobel. "If I must die, let me die
quickly.
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