Benny leaped to his feet and ran toward the door, calling the dog by name.
From the noise it could be told that Fluff came nearer the building in obedience to the summons, and then stopped, yelping and barking as if in dire distress.
“Come here, sir! Come this minute!” Benny cried peremptorily, and to the surprise of all, for the dog usually obeyed readily, the yelping increased as Fluff retreated from the house.
Benny ran after him, and Sam Hardy followed quickly, as if he believed something serious was the cause of the animal’s disobedience.
The remainder of the crew stood near the open door curiously, and after a brief interval they heard Benny calling yet more peremptorily to the dog, when for reply the yelping was changed to most dismal howls.
“Maje shall have a sound flogging if he has dared to touch that little fellow!” Keeper Downey said threateningly as he took up his cap to leave the building, and just at that instant the crew were startled by hearing Sam Hardy shout:
“Man overboard! Out with the surf-boat!”
Members of a life-saving crew never stop to question a statement of such a nature as that made by their comrade.
Every man sprang to the boat-room door, and the surf-boat was outside the building ready for launching by the time Sam came up, breathless with rapid running, but not excited.
“Beyond the Horseshoe!” he cried, taking his proper station with the others, and in what to a stranger would have seemed an incredibly short space of time the light craft was in the water, leaping from wave to wave under the impetus given by three pairs of oars.