"Help! Help!" I began to cry at the top of my voice.
"He's calling for help!" I heard Crocker exclaim. "He'll have somebody from shore at hand soon!"
"Man the boat, quick!" returned Captain Hannock. "We've only got a couple of minutes to reach him in!"
Crocker and the captain sprang into the boat and two sailors at once followed. Then two pairs of oars dropped into the water and the row-boat left the stern of the schooner.
I continued to swim, but my hopes of escape were rapidly leaving me. I was still too far away from any of the shore-boats for their occupants to hear my cries, and no one but those on the schooner and the schooner's boat seemed to be looking in my direction.
A few minutes more and the boat dashed up beside me. I dove out of sight, but the keen eyes of Crocker kept sight of me and when I once more arose he put out his hand and caught me by the ear.
"Come aboard!" he cried, sharply.
"Haul him in by the ear if he won't come!" roared Captain Hannock. "We can't afford to waste time on him. The sooner we get away from this harbor the better."
"That's so," returned Crocker, and he gave my ear a tremendous pull. "Are you coming?" he demanded.
"Yes; don't yank my ear off," I replied, for the way he was treating me hurt not a little.