"Are you all right, Major?" his rescuer said.
"Yes," he gasped.
"Put your hand on my shoulder. The boat is not a length away."
A minute later Frank was beside Bertha again.
"Where have you been, Frank? I was frightened."
"One of the men grasped me," he said, "and I should have turned the boat over if I had not let go. However, thanks to George Lechmere, who came to my rescue, I have shaken him off.
"Ah! here is help."
Three or four boats from the yachts were indeed rowing up. The four clinging to the gig were taken on board by one of them, while the others picked up the men who were floating supported by their oars.
"Don't say a word about it, George," Frank whispered.
The Osprey was lying but two or three hundred yards away, and they were soon alongside.