Steve saw that the two were reasonably safe; then, grabbing up another ring, he sprang to the rail on the port side.
Bob Jarvis and the girl were drifting in, buffeted this way and that by one huge wave after another. The girl's head was drooping over Bob's left shoulder.
"Can you make it?" bellowed Rush.
"I don't know." Bob's voice sounded far away.
Steve was watching him with keen, steady eyes. The lad felt sure that they never would get aboard without at least serious injury.
"Kick the ship ahead a couple of turns!" shouted Rush in a tone of command.
The word was transmitted to the captain in the pilot-house by gestures.
The captain gave the signal, but not quite quickly enough to accomplish what Rush had hoped for. He wanted the ship advanced a few feet so that Jarvis and his burden would drift past the stern where they could be pulled up without the danger of being crushed against the side of the ship.
Before the propeller had made one complete revolution the stern of the "Richmond" was hit by a giant wave and then by another. The vessel it seemed was literally lifted from the water and thrown to one side. That was the side where Bob Jarvis was struggling to save himself and the captain's daughter.
