“Lower the surfboat,” ordered the commander, when he saw the attempt was useless. Then he called for volunteers. By the dozen the sailors leaped forward.
“Boatswain Johnson,” said the captain, “I’m going to put you in charge. Pick your crew.”
The boatswain selected eight sturdy sailors for oarsmen. A life belt was strapped round each. The boat was lowered to the rail, and the crew stepped carefully aboard. At a favorable moment the craft was launched. Quickly she shot away from the side of the Iroquois, and before another comber broke, she was at a safe distance from the cutter and heading straight into the breakers.
The ship’s light was trained on her. On she went, now up, now down, breasting the roaring waves, shooting through the smother of foam, riding safely where it seemed impossible for a boat to live, under the skillful guidance of the experienced boatswain. Swiftly she drew toward the Capitol City, which no longer lay at right angles to the beach, but had worked a little to one side, making a lee where the water was calmer. Toward this the boatswain drove the surf boat. Into it the little craft shot safely, while a sigh of relief went up from the deck of the Iroquois.
Through powerful glasses, Henry watched breathlessly while the surfboat drew close to the protected side of the Capitol City. A line was thrown to the little boat, and a sailor in the bow caught it. Then the surfboat was drawn close beside the stranded steamer, and a sailor scrambled down from the rigging and dropped into it.
From seaward a giant comber was rushing toward the tiny craft. If it caught her, it would crush her against the side of the larger ship as an eggshell is crushed underfoot. On the Iroquois not a soul breathed. The onlookers stood tense, waiting the outcome. But the boatswain had an eye for everything. He, too, saw the great comber approaching. Back from the steamer’s side drew the little boat, and the wave passed harmlessly by. Again the surfboat drew up to the side of the Capitol City, and another man detached himself from the rigging and dropped into it. But just at that moment a wave, rising apparently from nowhere, swept over the windward side of the stranded steamer, poured irresistibly across her deck, and sent its tons of icy water crashing downward into the little surfboat lying by the leeward rail. The tiny craft was swept from sight.
“My God!” cried the captain. “They’ve capsized!”
CHAPTER XI
LOST IN THE SEA
For a moment the crew of the Iroquois stood as though petrified. In the brilliant beam of the searchlight they could see the dark forms of their comrades as they bobbed up above the smother of foam. Down from the bridge and the rigging of the Capitol City, where the members of her crew had taken refuge from the sweeping waves, these men now came leaping fearlessly. To rope and life-buoy they ran, and, seizing them, hurled them far out into the waves toward the struggling men from the Iroquois. But the strong cross current that had borne the floating keg so far to one side of the stranded ship, now carried the struggling men rapidly away from the steamer and the floating buoys. Desperately the men fought to reach the Capitol City, but the rushing tide beat them back, sucked them farther and farther away from the ship, and dragged them out toward the deeper water.
Not long did the men on the Iroquois remain idly watching their comrades, helpless in the surf. One instant alone they stood as though paralyzed. Then, as the captain began to bark his terse commands, they leaped to action. In an instant the anchor-chain was released, and as it paid out the Iroquois began to move. Driven by wind and wave, she bore farther into the breakers. A seaman with the lead sounded and roared out the depths. Rapidly the water shoaled, but the captain let the Iroquois drive on. He meant to save his men if it were humanly possible. Rapidly the tide was sweeping them outward. The wind was pushing the cutter inward. Every second brought the struggling men nearer to their comrades, who waited with ropes and buoys, at the rail of the Iroquois.