“That’s us,” answered Tom. “Or if we can’t, we’ll take off whoever’s a feedin’ that flare.”
There was a hasty conference with Captain Joe, who with Mac and Jerry now reached the scene. He carried a bright ship’s lantern, and at once took charge. He began to talk about their mothers’ instructions to him, but when Tom told him to stand aside if he wouldn’t lead in the rescue, he sprang into the boat.
Mac carried a coil of rope. Captain Joe passed this along both sides of the Escambia, looping it over the gunwales between seats, and then made the ends fast at the bow and stern. Four long, stout oars were already in place, and a fifth was in Captain Joe’s hand astern.
Then, by the light of Captain Joe’s lantern, and the aid of the logs found by Tom, the heavy Escambia was slid part way down the beach and, with the united efforts of the six persons, turned bow on to the tumbling water. She was pounding with each new breaker, and as one of these lifted her bow, the two logs were shoved under her keel.
Quick commands followed. The ship’s lantern was dropped in the stern out of the steersman’s sight; Mac scrambled to his place just in front of Captain Joe astern, ready to start the engine, and Tom and Hal took the seat amidships, each with an oar. Jerry Blossom and Bob stood ready to shove off.
“You got hol’ de rope?” sang out Captain Joe.
“All ready here,” called back Bob.
“Got de line, sah,” answered the more nautical Jerry.
“Hang on all an’ shove away,” came the instant order.
With a panting thrust, the Escambia moved slowly forward. Then, caught on a breaker, it rose in the air.