"Mr. Davis, the rescue boat is the second officer's trick!"
"Glad of it, sir," retorted Dick, his eyes glistening.
"Lower the port life-boat. Take four men at the oars and one for the bow. You'll have to row. The power tender would be worthless in this sea. Mr. Perkins will take the bridge. Mr. Costigan and the quartermasters will help you off, Mr. Davis."
Officers and men all moved with perfect discipline. With a merry roar they lowered the life-boat. A boarding gangway was lowered at the side, and down this the crew of the life-boat scrambled. Dick Davis took his place at the tiller.
"Cast off," he commanded. "Shove off. Let fall oars. Now, then—at it, hearties!"
From owner and passengers a cheer went up as the boat put off in such famous style. In another instant, however, the boat tossed like a cork on a high, rolling wave. Then it went down in the hollow between two billows. It was up in sight, an instant later. The men at the oars were doing their work with a will. Over the water struggled the life-boat, and then turned to come up under the lee quarter of the schooner.
Suddenly Captain Tom Halstead clutched desperately at the bridge rail, his face going deathly white.
"Merciful heaven!" he quivered, staring hard. For, near the crest of a wave, the life-boat heeled. Another big wave caught her.
Dick Davis and the boat's crew had been hurled from the overturning boat!