“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.
Just as Jimmie was measuring with his eye the distance separating the swimmer from his goal and preparing for a mighty throw of the buoy he noted that the other’s stroke was fast weakening.
With a jerk the Wolf unfastened and kicked loose a shoe. In an instant the other followed. A rapid movement loosened his jacket. A backward twist of his shoulders helped him slip from the garment.
One look over the rail showed that the swimmer was losing control of his muscles. Both hands went up into the air only to disappear beneath the crest of an oncoming wave. The boy stayed under.
“Stand by to get me, boys!” shouted Jimmie.
A splash told that he had gone overboard. His companions crowded eagerly to the rail, watching for his reappearance. In a moment they were relieved to see his red head come up close to the spot where the other had sunk. Emptying his lungs of the pent up air with a loud “Whoosh!” the boy instantly refilled them to plunge again under water.