“Ahoy!”
“Ahoy!” came back from several places, like the echoes of his call.
“Come on here! Quick!” he shouted, with his hands to his mouth.
“Ahoy!” came from a distance; and from nearer at hand, “Ay, ay, sir; ay, ay!”
From where Don and Jem stood they could see the boatswain’s every movement, as, after once more feeling the sailor’s throat and wrist, he bent over him and poured water from his bottle between his lips, bathed his forehead and eyes, and then fanned him with his hat, but without effect.
Then he looked out anxiously and hailed again, the replies coming from close by; and soon after first one and then another sailor, whose faces were quite familiar, climbed up to the shelf, when the boatswain explained hastily how he had left his companion.
“Some one knocked him down?” said one of his men.
“No; he’s not hurt. I should say it’s a fit. More water. Don’t be afraid!”
Each of the men who had climbed up carried a supply, and a quantity was dashed over Ramsden’s face with the effect that he began to display signs of returning consciousness, and at last sat up and stared.