Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/69

Rh row, and before long all were busy arranging for the comfort and health of the children the sick and the weakly, and finally of themselves. I was on one vessel, Gell on another, a third had been assigned to the orphans, who were in charge of Aurelia, assisted by several good women who had no ties of their own, while the other vessels were placed under the command of the most experienced and trustworthy of the pilots whom I could select. Each steamer towed behind it a barge, containing reserves of provisions sufficient to make us independent of chance supplies for a considerable time.

We had not proceeded far when we discovered to the general consternation that our wary foe was not going to let us escape so easily. He had struck camp, and was following us along the left bank at no great distance behind. At this sight the last sparks of courage that animated our feeble folk died away. Had it not been for the exercise of the sternest discipline I verily believe that our crews would have flung themselves overboard in utter despair. With much difficulty and many threats mingled with persuasion, we prevailed upon these heroes not to commit