The woman clutched at it with the grasp of a vice; but went on praying, as if unconscious.

Just then the crowd gave way a little.

The captain had said, that the women were to go next; but they were too frenzied to obey his directions, and now pressed backward and forward.

The sailors, with mute, stern obedience, strove to follow out the captain's directions.

Edward pulled Maggie, and she kept her hold on the mother.