The Don's second in command, fine gentleman as he was, had little power to deal with a rabble that was fighting for dear life.

He drew up his men on the beach and bade no man stir for the boats till his name was called, under penalty of death.
While the young nobles (who, of course, were exempt from lot), silently and anxiously took their places in the boats and were rowed out to the ship, all stood gloomily by, mute and obedient.

But when, these being safely embarked, the order was given for the hundred who had drawn the lot to follow, a hubbub and tumult began which it was pitiful to witness.

Men, desperate with hunger and fear, fought tooth and nail to reach the boats.

They that had the right and they that had none were mingled in a fray which strewed the water's edge with corpses.