Just then the crew lowered a skiff. The tiny craft dropped to the water and floated like a shell, and several persons cast themselves therein. Two seized the oars and, to the astonishment of the spectators, started toward the Polipheme, whose sailors would gladly have fired upon them had not Louis Pierre interposed. The skiff came within hailing distance. Two men, a woman and a child of some five years were visible.
"Save us!" they entreated wildly. "We have not harmed you!"
Amélie shudderingly grasped the captain's arm.
"Have mercy on them!" she said.
"It cannot be," he answered.
"At least the child," she insisted.
"Hello there!" he called to a sailor. "Cast them a cable and hoist up the boy."
"And the others?"
A look and gesture from Soliviac answered the I question. The skiff drew nearer and some moments later the child, almost dead with fright, was drawn up to the deck. Amélie gathered him in her arms and covered his face with kisses.
"Mamma! mamma!" wailed the little fellow in English.