“Full speed ahead,” commanded the coxswain of the little steamer.
“Steady there, helmsman; don’t run them down.”
A desperate struggle followed amid the smashing seas. By this time the steamer was hard by.
“Cast a rope,” commanded the coxswain. A coil shot through the air, landing over the ensign’s shoulder. He fastened upon it instantly, and a few moments later was drawn slowly to the steamer, one hand clinging to Hickey’s red hair. The two men were hauled aboard in a half-drowned condition. Dan was the worst off of the three, however. He was not only suffering from broken bones but he had been under water for a long time. He was barely able to speak now. His face was pale and drawn and his legs seemed unable to support him.
The first act of the ensign upon getting aboard, was to spring over to where Kester lay stretched out in the bottom of the steamer, the men still working over him, applying the methods that they had learned at the training station. Some of the men had been through the experience before and knew what to do.
“Is he dead?” questioned the officer.
“No, sir, I think not. See, the color is coming into his cheeks.”
The ensign drew a deep breath of relief.
“Gangway! Let me have a hand, lads,” he cried.
But the men stood fast.