The gunboat is already in motion.
But these boatmen knew not Bunko; and his red-coated figure, bareheaded, and with face streaming with blood, was startling enough, no doubt.
They positively refused to take him off.
"But," cried Bunko wildly, "it's to save precious life, I tell you! I'll give you one hundred pounds to take me!"
"In you jump then, lad. Shove off, men. Give way with a will. We'll hardly catch her."
But Bunko tore off his red coat and waved it wildly in the air, and next minute the good ship stopped.
The commander heard all Bunko had to say, and loudly praised his gallantry. "I'll save your friends, boy, never fear, if they are still afloat."
So back to the shore Bunko was rowed.
The poor mare was on the top of the steps, but she would need a long rest before she could take the road again. And Bunko himself felt the need of rest; so, leading his mare, he betook himself to the nearest inn.
Meanwhile Captain Heydon, of the saucy Sandpiper, lost no time in steaming away in search of the missing boats.