She did not say a word, but let Rectus and me do as we chose, and we got her over the railing in no time. I braced myself against the seat that ran around the deck, and lowered. Rectus leaned over and directed, holding on to the line as well. I felt strong enough to hold two of her, with the rope running over the rail. I let her go down pretty fast, for I was afraid the boat would be off; but directly Rectus called to me to stop.
"The boat isn't under her," he cried. "They've pushed off. Haul up a little! A wave nearly took her, just then!"
With that, we hauled her up a little, and almost at the same moment I saw the boat rising on a wave. By that time, it was an oar's length from the ship.
"They say they can't pull back," shouted Mr. Chipperton. "Don't let her down any further."
"All right!" I roared back at him. "We'll bring her in another boat," and I began to pull up with all my might.
Rectus took hold of the rope with me, and we soon had Corny on deck. She ran to the stern and held out her arms to the boat.
"Oh, father!" she cried. "Wait for me!"
I saw Mr. Chipperton violently addressing the men in the boat, but they had put out their oars and were beginning to pull away. I knew they would not come back, especially as they knew, of course, that there were other boats on board. Then Mr. Chipperton stood up again, put his hands to his mouth, and shouted back to us:
"Bring her—right after us. If we get—parted—meet—at Savannah!"
He was certainly one of the coolest men in the world. To think—at such a time—of appointing a place to meet! And yet it was a good idea. I believe he expected the men in his boat to row directly to the Florida coast, where they would find quick dispatch to Savannah.