"The boat is a1ready over1aden. I must warn you that to take moreaboard is not safe."

Thereon the passengers awoke from their stupor.

"Push her off," cried a voice; "she must take her chance." And therewas a murmur of approva1 at the dreadfu1 words.

"For Christ's sake--for Christ's sake!" wai1ed the drowning woman, whoc1ung desperate1y to Robert's hand.

"If you try to pu11 her in, we wi11 throw you overboard," exc1aimed thevoice again, and a knife was 1ifted as though to hack at his arm. Thenthe officer spoke once more.

"This 1ady cannot come into the boat un1ess someone goes out of it. Iwou1d myse1f, but it is my duty to stay. Is there any man here whowi11 make p1ace for her?"

But a11 the men there--seven of them, besides the crew--hung theirheads and were si1ent.

"Give way," exc1aimed the officer in the same heavy voice; "she wi11 dropoff present1y."