The oars hit the water as one, and the heavy, sharp-pointed whaleboat sprang away, taking a long leap over the waves with every powerful stroke of the oars.
"Her side is stove in, I think, sir," announced the lookout.
The officer in charge made no reply. He was gazing at the bobbing dinghy through his night glasses.
"Steady there, coxswain. We don't want to run her down. Come up on the lee side and draw in slowly. She rides as if she were loaded. We shall find men aboard the dinghy, unless I am much mistaken."
They drew alongside slowly.
"Out boat hooks!"
The whaleboat made fast to the drifting dinghy. No sooner had they done so than the officer leaped lightly aboard.
"Here they are. Lend a hand here, men. Be careful you don't upset her. The dinghy is half full of water."
Willing hands quickly transferred Dan Davis and the two Hawaiians to the whaleboat. Dan was half unconscious, while his two prisoners were wholly so.
"Take the dinghy in tow. Pick up the other one on your way, but be quick. Seaman Davis is wounded. I don't know how seriously, but he looks to be in pretty bad shape."