But there are no noises of human beings. "Oddest thing I ever see!" says Corkey. "I didn't know a shipwreck was like this. Everything is different from what is printed--Lord save me!"
The Africa is rolling.
"Here goes!" It is now or never.
Corkey has short, tough fingers. He grasps that rope like a vise. He wraps his left leg well in the coils. He kicks the steamer with his right. The small boat does not touch the water when the steamer is sitting straight in the sea.
It is a horrible turmoil in which to enter. Perhaps he came down too soon!
"I wish I had some one with me now. Mebbe the two of us would get an advantage."
The second mate looks over the gunwale from the prow of the steamer. He knows a land-lubber is handling a yawl.
"D---- fool!" he mutters.
In the Georgian Bay, if the ship go down, all hands are to drown. Only sham sailors like Corkey are to make any effort, beyond fastening pieces of wood about their waists.
"I wonder if I'd come out here for this if I'd got onto it?" Then the grim features relax. "I wonder if his nobs would?"