"Ah!" cried the Captain; "you can swim that, Jeffs?"
"I think so, sir."
"Then go right forward with him, watch for a heavy wave, and over with you."
The man nodded, and held out his great fist.
"You'll shake hands with me, sir?"
The Captain clasped his man's hand directly.
"You'll come too, sir?"
"Man, my arm is broken," said the Captain.
Jeff stared at him in horror, and then, picked up the remains of the lead-line, and before the Captain could check him, he had lashed him fast to the rail of the bridge.
"I'm going to fetch a boat to take you off, sir," he cried; and he stooped down to pick up Bob, and go on to the fore part of the vessel; but in spite of the roar and confusion made by the water thundering about them, and drenching them, as every wave broke, the gallant little fellow had fully realised the terrible position in which they stood, and eluding the coxswain's grasp, he ran to his father, and clung to him.