Just before Richard reached him his slow mind realized that whatever he was to do must be done quickly. On either side of him bulked the life-rafts, but beyond, near the very end of the boat, was a cleared space of several feet. Nothing but a low guard-rail of rope protected one from the rounded hulk of the vessel. Towards this open space Walter threw himself, clutched the rail and flung his leg over.
At this end of the boat the ship motion was marked. She would lower a dozen feet every few seconds and fling herself up again rhythmically. It was the sudden lunge up as Walter’s leg went over the rail that prevented Richard from pouncing upon him in a single leap. The two men were only a yard apart, but the tilt of the vessel made Richard’s progress a climb uphill, and when the ship started down again Walter’s body had already begun to roll slowly over the rail towards the deck. Once on that wet slant and he would have shot bounding off into the churning sea.
With the tilt of the steamer downward, Richard leaped forward, and seizing the hand-rope, which he gripped like iron, he catapulted completely over the rail and on to the curved iron deck. The lunge carried him against Walter’s slipping body, which his arm encircled. As the steamer rose and fell Richard clung to the guard-rope and hugged the boy to him in a terrific grip.
“Le’ me go, damn you,” whimpered Walter, although his head was nearly smothered against the deck. “Le’ me go, can’t yuh? Tol’ her I would; an’ I will. Le’ me go. Wo’ let her boss me. Le’ me go, I say! Aw! Le’ me go!”
Richard tried to draw himself up, but stopped, fearing that the boy might struggle; and besides, he did not wish to risk losing his grip on the rail. Looking off to the side he could see the curving edge, and beyond was the white-capped sea.
Of course Geraldine had followed swiftly, and with her she had brought a burly sailor. Someone had cried, “Man overboard!” A small crowd began to rush towards the stern. It was a simple matter to get both men back on the platform.
“Come along, old fellow.” Richard lifted the boy and encircled him with his arm. “You’re just feeling a little blue; that’s all. Come along down with me and we’ll talk it all out.”
The soothing voice, where he had expected reprimand, had an amazing effect.
“Aw ri’,” he agreed cheerfully enough, as if risking two lives was a matter of every-day happening. “Guess y’r ri’; but she ought never come at me ’at way—spesh’ly after I tol’ her. You know, Rich’rd, I tol’ her. Didn’t I tell her?”
“Of course you did.” Richard drew him farther on. “And what’s more, she won’t do it again.”