Summoning all his courage the lad opened the pilot-house door, peering cautiously in.
He got a blow that knocked him over backwards and Bob Jarvis tumbled all the way down the stairs to the main deck.
Captain Simms came rushing out of his cabin in his pajamas.
He had heard the running on the deck above him and surmising that something had gone wrong, rushed out to the deck.
"What's wrong? What's wrong?" he bellowed, casting a quick glance ahead, almost expecting to see another ship bearing down upon them. "I say, what's happened?"
"Help!" howled the distant voice of Bob Jarvis from the lower deck.
"Help, help!" yelled the two men on the bridge watch in chorus.
"Captain!" roared First Mate Major, bounding down the stairs to where the captain was standing.
The skipper grabbed the mate by the arm and shook him violently.
"Here, here! What's wrong? Have all of you lubbers gone mad?"