And then another figure followed the first, and a woman's voice spoke pleadingly.
“Have you got a boat?” it cried. “We're adrift on this dreadful thing and . . . why, SETH!”
The woman was Emeline Bascom.
“Why, SETH!” she said again. Then the sounds of the wind and waves and the creaking and cracking of the old schooner alone broke the silence.
But Bennie D., even under the shock of such a surprise as this, did not remain silent long. His precious self was in danger.
“You put us ashore!” he shouted. “You put us ashore right off, do you hear? Don't stand there like a fool! Do something. Do you want us to drown? DO something!”
Seth came to life. His first speech was sharp and businesslike.
“Emeline,” he said, “there's a lantern hanging up in the cabin. Go light it and fetch it to me. Hurry!”
“It's upset,” was the frightened answer. “Bennie found it when we first came aboard. When we—when this awful boat started, it upset and went out.”
“Never mind. Probably there's ile enough left for a spell. Go fetch it. There's matches in a box on the wall just underneath where 'twas hangin'. Don't stop to talk! Move!”