“Can you see him now?” asked Ned.
“Yes, and he’s swimming. There must be a current in here that’s dragging him away from the steamer. The buoy fell short and he’s swimming directly away from the steamer. He’s coming towards us!”
Intently the lad watched the one in the water. He swam a good stroke resting easily, even though somewhat impeded by his clothing.
Now and again as the crest of a wave approached the swimmer his head was submerged, only to reappear again in the yeasty froth following the racing monster. Eagerly his progress was noted by all on board the schooner. They were at a loss to understand why he had left his own vessel to swim toward a strange craft.
Presently, however, as he approached the Lena Knobloch the lad’s strokes became more feeble. He was evidently tiring rapidly.
“Captain, what do you say to getting a boat over?” asked Ned.
“Vhait!” grunted von Kluck. “Id’s lots of vork to do id!”
“But the lad may need help!” urged Ned, eagerly.
“Vhell, if he needs id, I put him ofer. Nod before!”
Jimmie ran forward into the very eyes of the schooner. In his hands he grasped a ring buoy, to which was attached a goodly length of line. This he coiled ready to heave the buoy to the one in the water as soon as he should come within reach.