"Toss oars," commanded the coxswain of each boat.
Every man raised his oar upright.
"Let go the falls," commanded the executive officer.
The two whaleboats struck the sea with a mighty splash.
"Cast off! Go!" shouted the two coxswains, at which the men fell to their oars with a will. But those in the number two whaleboat either had not been quick enough, or else a wave had caught them unawares. Their frail craft was picked up on the crest of a wave and hurled with mighty force against the side of the ship, the smaller boat instantly going to pieces. In a second, thirteen men were struggling in the boiling sea, fighting desperately for their lives.
CHAPTER II
WHALEBOATS TO THE RESCUE
"Number one whaleboat, there! Go on! You'll be dashed to pieces if you try to rescue them," shouted the executive officer, as the boat holding Dan Davis turned about, bent on rescuing the drowning sailors.
"Cast the life buoys!"