Mrs Ferguson took the arm of Newton without saying a word, when the other was offered and accepted by Isabel.

Mr Ferguson, with the two other sisters, brought up the rear.

The ladies had to pass the quarter-deck, and when they saw the preparations--the guns cast loose, the shot lying on the deck, and all the various apparatus for destruction--their fears increased.

When they had been conducted to their place of safety, Newton was about to return on deck, when he was seized by Miss Charlotte and Laura Revel, who entreated him not to leave them.
"Do stay with us, Mr Forster; pray, don't go," cried they both.
"I must, indeed, ladies; you are perfectly safe here." "For God's sake, don't you go away, Mr Forster!" cried Laura, falling on her knees.

"I shall die of fright .-- You sha'n't go!" screamed Laura, as the two sisters clung on to the skirts of his jacket, and effectually prevented his escape, unless, like the patriarch, he had left his garment behind.
Newton cast an appealing glance at Isabel, who immediately interfered,--"Charlotte, for shame! you are preventing Mr Forster from going to his duty.