Mac, Jerry and Tom were as well qualified to tackle this bit of work as the oldest sea dog. They sprang forward instantly, and when Captain Joe, the other boys and the distracted owner of the cargo reached the bow with the lantern, the amateur salts were already hauling on the slatting jibs. With Captain Joe’s assistance, the canvas was got under control.
“Now, lads,” said Captain Joe, “she’ll never come with them alone—but they’ll help. Look lively an’ pick up a good bit o’ cable.”
After a search, about six fathoms of two inch rope was discovered, one end of which the old fisherman made fast to the anchor ring on the starboard bow.
“Bring de Escambia forward,” he ordered, “and make de other end o’ de cable fas’ to de stern post. I’m goin’ to de wheel. Maybe de canvas will help. We got to bring dis boat in de pass, or she good as los’. Ef de jibs done do it, yo’ mus’ swing her over on de starboard tack. Yo’ got to pull an’ pull hard an’ make dat engine raise a rumpus. Ef she came ’bout, I head her in de pass, an’ Mr. Man save his logs. An’ ef she done come ’bout, I wave de lantern. Den stan’ by in de boat to take us off fo’ she’s in de breakers.”
It was all plain enough. If there was power enough in four pairs of willing arms and the Escambia’s engine to help the steamer’s jibs throw the craft on a starboard tack, Captain Joe’s skill at the wheel might bring the steamer safely into the pass, and the protection of Perdido Bay.
“Tumble overboard,” shouted Tom, and, fearless alike of the still raging storm and the renewed exertion, one after another, the five irrepressible youngsters dropped into the two or three inches of water on the Escambia’s bottom. While Jerry and Tom made fast the heavy cable to the stern post, Mac was busy with the engine and Bob and Hal got the oars ready.
“He’ll never start that engine with all that water about her,” said Hal to Bob. But he had forgotten that that was one thing Mac understood. And he had also forgotten that Mac never got so excited that he neglected to care for his engine. It required the use of Captain Joe’s lantern, several primings of gasoline and as many turns of the flywheel, but, to Hal’s surprise, the engine did start and keep going.
Tossing the lantern back on to the deck, Mac caught up the steering oar, and, as Captain Joe hauled in on the cable, the bow of the life boat swept away from the steamer. The rush of the waves made taut the cable, and as Mac gave the word to the eager oarsmen to “fall to,” Captain Joe could be seen hastening aft to take the wheel. At his heels followed the distraught cargo owner, still pleading for the rescue of his property.