"We'll pick you up, don't fear!" cried the young fellow at the bow, and the sloop came around and the mainsail was lowered. The two young men on the craft were skillful sailors, and soon came within reach of Nelson. One held out a boathook, and presently our hero was hauled on board.
"It's a lucky thing we were near by, or you might have been drowned," said the young man called Bob. "Isn't that so, Clarence?"
"That's true," answered Clarence Bell. "I see your ship isn't stopping for you."
"She isn't my ship, and I don't want her to stop," answered Nelson, shaking the water from him.
"Oh! Then you jumped overboard on purpose."
"I did, and I am thankful you picked me up. The captain who runs that boat was going to carry me to the West Indies against my will."
"Great Cæsar! Bob, do you hear that?"
"I do," returned Bob Chalmer. "Was it a case of kidnaping?"
"Hardly that," replied Nelson. "I'll tell you the whole story, if you'd like to hear it. Only I want to be sure that that boat doesn't put back after me," he continued.
He watched the Victory for fully five minutes but nothing was done toward turning back, and at last he gave a great sigh of relief.