“Eri,” he said, “it ain't no use. She won't live to git through the breakers.”
His friend answered without looking up. “Do you s'pose,” he said, “that I'm goin' to let Lute Davis and them other fellers drown without makin' a try for 'em? Push off when I tell you to.”
“Then you let me go instead of you.”
“Don't talk foolish. You've got Pashy to look after. Ready now!”
But Ralph Hazeltine intervened.
“I'm going myself,” he said firmly, putting one foot over the gunwale. “I'm a younger man than either of you, and I'm used to a boat. I mean it. I'm, going.”
Captain Eri looked at the electrician's face; he saw nothing but determination there.
“We'll all go,” he said suddenly. “Mr. Hazeltine, run as fast as the Lord 'll let you back to the station and git another set of oars. Hurry!”
Without answering, the young man sprang up the beach and ran toward the buildings. The moment that he was inside Captain Eri leaped into the dory.
“Push off, Perez!” he commanded. “That young feller's got a life to live.”