The great man turned swiftly.
"One moment, my lord," and he was gone.
III
There was a rush up the companion-ladder, and the noise of running feet on the deck overhead.
"Great God!" groaned Nelson, ghastly, and flung open the port.
A dark mass with straggling legs shot past.
There was the plump of a body striking the sea, and crash of showering waters.
"Man overboard!" roared a voice from the deck. "Back tops'ls. Here, sir!"
A rope coiled out and splashed the water.
Nelson's head was through the port.