The shock of the release from the strain of this desperate fight had proved too much for her intrepid spirit.
Tenderly they laid her down in the bottom of the boat and sprinkled water over her face.
"You bruck it too rapid, Jack," observed the bosun's mate slowly. "It's the recoil as knocks a woman."
"I was a cursed, thoughtless fool," groaned Jack, in bitter self-reproach.
"That 'ere put-upon an' hard-pressed gal has the sand an' grit o' forty of us men-folk," declared Broncho, with emphasis. "The way she stands this racket an' plays her hand has me bulgin' with admiration an' respec'."
"Me too!" gulped Jim, with big tears in his eyes.
Loyola was too wiry a woman to stay long in a faint, and in a very short space of time she opened her eyes and looked round fearfully.
"It's all right, Lolie, it's all right!" said Jack softly, as he bent over her.
Slowly she raised herself, looking wildly at him; then her eyes grew blurred, and with a heavy sob she held out her hands.