"Steady, men," the boy warned. "We must be near the other ship now. I can hear their voices more plainly. It is curious we can't see their lights, though."
"That's because of the fog, cap'n," volunteered one of the sailors at the oars.
"They're——"
"Look out! We're under the stern of the ship now!" cried Rush, throwing his tiller hard to port.
The life boat hit the stern of the ship, far down under her counter, with a resounding crash. There followed the sound of breaking woodwork, as the gunwale of the lifeboat crashed in. The little craft shipped a heavy sea, drenching all hands.
The sailors had dropped their oars and were preparing to jump.
"Sit down!" commanded the young skipper.
"We're sinking!"
"Well, if we are, let's get in a better place to do it. We don't want to be floundering in the water under the stern of this sinking ship, do we? Get to your oars and pull away!"