“He’s made it!”
“Hip! hip! hurray!”
In the after top Herc, tears streaming down his face, danced a wild jig of jubilation, while on the fore-deck Jackies threw their arms around each other and shook each other’s hands and performed a hundred mad antics. On the bridge the officers stood with sternly compressed lips, but from the captain there broke out a fervent:—
“Thank God!”
As Ned, white-faced but smiling bravely, touched the bridge, he was hauled out of the bos’un’s chair by a score of hands, and for a minute he needed the support. But he rallied as he faced the captain and saluting said:—
“Come aboard, sir!”
“Great heavens, Strong, you gave us all the scare of our lives!” said the captain, with a great sigh of relief.
“I’m sorry, sir,” rejoined Ned, “I somehow missed my footing and——”
“That’s it. How did it happen?” demanded the captain.
“Just as I said, sir. I missed my footing and fell against that rope-yarn. It carried away and I went through.”