Portia was the first to realize the extent of the catastrophe, and in a
short while chairs and life-preservers and tables--everything that could
float--had been tossed into the sea to the struggling immortals therein.
On board the _Gehenna_, those who had not cast themselves into the waters,
under the cool direction of Holmes and Bonaparte, calmly lowered the
boats, and in a short while were not only able to felicitate themselves
upon their safety, but had likewise the good fortune to rescue their more
impetuous brethren who had preferred to swim for it. Ultimately, all were
brought aboard the House-boat in safety, and the men in Hades were once
more reunited to their wives, daughters, sisters, and _fiancees_, and
Elizabeth had the satisfaction of once more saving the life of Raleigh by
throwing him her ruff as she had done a year or so previously, when she
and her brother had been upset in the swift current of the river Styx.
Order and happiness being restored, Holmes took command of the House-boat
and soon navigated her safely back into her old-time berth. The _Gehenna_
went to the bottom and was never seen again, and when the roll was called
it was found that all who had set out upon her had returned in safety save
Shylock, Kidd, Sir Henry Morgan, and Abeuchapeta; but even they were not
lost, for, five weeks later, these four worthies were found early one
morning drifting slowly up the river Styx, gazing anxiously out from the
top of a water-cask and yelling lustily for help.
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