“But I can’t swim with this arm,” the latter protested.
“You do as I say,” ordered Jack. “I’ll get you before you go down.”
Without further words, Lord Hastings obeyed, and as he disappeared from sight in the water Jack leaped lightly in after him. His hand touched his commander’s collar before the latter had struck bottom, and coming to the surface, he supported Lord Hastings with one arm while with the other he struck out for the submarine.
Frank, upon the bridge peering intently into the night, had heard the sounds of confusion, but strain his eyes as he would, he did not make out the two forms in the water until Jack’s voice, sounding almost in his ear, startled him.
“Lend a hand here, quick, Frank,” came his friend’s voice.
Quickly Frank leaped to obey.
Leaning over he held on to his commander while Jack scrambled aboard, and then both assisted their commander over the side, as gently as possible, so as to avoid straining his wound.
“Are you badly hurt, sir?” asked Frank, when Lord Hastings lay panting on the bridge.
“I don’t know,” came the faint reply. “But I have a nasty stab in the shoulder.”
“We’ll soon have that fixed up,” said Jack cheerfully. “Help me carry him down, Frank.”