CHAPTER VIII THE REAL KENNEBEC WAY
The young skipper of the "Panther" brushed his hand past his eyes.
It was no dream, no trick of the vision. The life-boat was overturned, riding keel upward, while two of its crew clung desperately to the keel. A third head could be seen bobbing on the water. What had become of the other three human beings?
"Mr. Perkins, take command of the 'Panther,'" ordered Tom, hoarsely. "Mr. Dawson, you and Mr. Prentiss, with two of the quartermasters and the remaining seaman, stand by the starboard life-boat. I'll go in charge."
All those ordered sprang to their posts. Like a flash the davits were swung around outward, other hands loosening the lowering tackle.
"Captain, this is madness," remonstrated Mr. Baldwin. "If that boat couldn't ride the water, this one can't."
"This one must," retorted Captain Tom. "They're our own shipmates in the water over there. Stand by to lower!"
"Captain, I protest!" cried Baldwin.
"Get out of the way, then, sir, and do your protesting in private," came, sternly, from the young skipper.