"See here, young man, what does this mean?"
"I fell from a boat, sir, further up the river. I was trying to swim ashore when you nearly ran me down. You see, I did not know you were going to make that sharp turn and I did not have time to get out of the way."
"That is not a likely story, young man. How did you get aboard this boat? That is what I want to know."
Phil explained that he had caught hold of a rope.
"Is there a rope trailing, mate?"
"I don't know, sir."
"Find out."
The mate returned a few moments later with the information that a hawser was dragging astern.
"Wonderful!" breathed the captain. "How did you ever do it, and you only a boy?"
"I am pretty strong, even if I am a boy," smiled Phil.