Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/95

Rh them under hatches till all is over. Let each of us take the helm himself and run straight through the vessel nearest him. We will have the guns loaded and see if we can't account for one or two more with our broadsides. I believe we should be no safer if we fled back up stream, and our men would be demoralized into the bargain. So now you know my mind; and all I have to say is, when you meet the enemy keep her head straight."

"I quite agree with you," said Gell, "and am glad you have so decided. But I thought it right to put before you the alternative."

The other two hurried on board their respective ships to give their necessary orders. I turned to the boatswain, ordered him to clear the decks and fasten down the hatches upon all the passengers, and then to see that all the guns were loaded and manned. The gunners were not to wait for orders, but were to fire whenever they saw a good opportunity for disabling the craft as we steamed by.

I took the helm myself, with a pilot beside me in case of accidents. We weighed again, and steamed down about a cable's length apart, the Roanoke first,