The thought nerved her for an instant.

Then a rending, grinding noise was followed by a sudden swerve and roll of the ship that sent her staggering against a bulkhead.

An outburst of cries and shouting rang through her brain, and a shriek was wrung from her parched throat.
But the _Andromeda_ righted herself again, though there was another sound of tearing metal, and the deck heaved perceptibly under a shock.
Ah, kind Heaven! here came Hozier, running, thundering some loud order.
"The port life-boat.

.

.