"We have one good boat left, the new yawl at the booms: the others, as
you know, are washed away, with the exception of the little boat
astern, which is useless, as she is knocked almost to pieces. Now we
cannot be very far from some of the islands, indeed I think we are
among them now. Let us fit out the boat with everything we require, go
about our work steadily and quietly, drink as much grog as will not
hurt us, and take a good provision of it with us. The boat is complete
with her masts, sails, and oars; and it's very hard if we do not save
ourselves somewhere. Ready, do I give good advice or not?"
"You give very good advice, Mackintosh - only what is to become of the
cabin passengers, the women, and children? and are you going to leave
poor Captain Osborn? or what do you mean to do?"
"We won't leave the captain," said one of the seamen.
"No - no!" exclaimed the others.
"And the passengers?"
"Very sorry for them," replied the former spokesman; "but we shall have
enough to do to save our own lives."
"Well, my lads, I agree with you," said Mackintosh. "Charity begins at
home. What do you say I - shall it be so?"
"Yes," replied the seamen, unanimously; and Ready knew that it was in
vain to expostulate.
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