“I see him!” cried Ned. “I can see him!”
“Oh, good!” exclaimed Jimmie, the next moment. “He hit the shrouds and the steamer rolled at the right minute, throwing him clear of the deck. See that splash in the water?”
“I see it!” answered the others, together.
“Are they trying to help him?” asked Harry.
“Yes, they are,” stated Jimmie. “They’ve thrown him a ring buoy!”
“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.