George Lechmere came on first, and handed in a bundle of wraps, parasols, and umbrellas. The captain stood at the top of the steps, and as Frank and Bertha came up took off his hat.
"God bless you and your wife, sir," he said, and the men re-echoed the words in a deep chorus.
"Thank you, captain.
"Thank you all, lads, for my wife and myself," Frank said, heartily, and a minute later the boat pushed off.
The tide was running out strong, and they were halfway across it towards the dark mass of yachts, when there was a sudden crash forward.
"What is it?" Frank exclaimed.
"This fellow has stove in the boat, sir," the bow oar exclaimed, and then came a series of hurried exclamations.
Frank had not caught the words, but the rush of water aft told him that something serious had happened.
"Row, men, row!" he shouted.
"Steer to the nearest yacht, Hawkins."