"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.
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