The sailors to a man agreed to this plan, but as the boat would hold
only six persons the thing could not be managed. The Captain offered
to remain, and asked who was willing to stay with him. The helmsman
was the only one to signify his willingness to stay; the rest preferred
to settle the matter by drawing lots. According to this Redfox and
Gray were to remain, so the Captain appointed Green to direct the boat
to Australia.

"Green, you are the only man equal to the task, and I give my nephew
into your keeping. The boy's life must be saved. The dangers which
threaten you on this perilous trip are scarcely less than those which
we face here. Perhaps on some neighboring island you can get
drinking-water, perhaps you will fall in with some ship which will come
to our rescue. If we are here a month, yes, a week, even, without
drinking-water, what then? But as God wills. For my part I will
willingly offer my life as a sacrifice in atonement for the past. May
the best of fortune favor you, and may you save the life of my nephew.
The insurance on this boat all goes to him; and if you rescue him, send
him to Father Somazzo in Hongkong. If you cannot save us, come back
and see that our bones receive decent Christian burial."

Thus spoke the Captain. The helmsman, who would willingly have stayed
behind on the dreary reef, made ready for the trip and at midnight set
sail with the ebb of the tide.



[1] NOTE.--What is told here and in the following chapter concerning
the cannibals happened at the time that the "St. Paul" was wrecked on