"But, Captain, we must save the women folks, anyway! Won't you use your persuasion to help me?"
"No," came Dave's quick response. "These women are asserting their right to prove the stuff that is in them. In this war, in their own fields, the women fight as bravely as the men."
"In a time like this the women ought to be saved!" the British master insisted.
"Not at the expense of their best sense of duty," Darrin answered.
For an instant Senby regarded the young naval officer with amazement before he blurted:
"Captain, I don't believe you have any women folks of your own!"
"My wife is one of the Red Cross women on board," Darrin answered, quietly. Then, raising his voice, he added:
"That patch is ready! Over with it!"
Thus was the second patch fitted over the forward hole, and men were busy completing another for the second hole.
And now with the small boats filled, Darrin anxiously surveyed the sea. No ships were yet in sight.