"We are full," said the officer, "and the deck is cleared. There is need for hurry, sir."
"There is," replied Captain Brown. "Make room for two more."
"We can't do it sir—not in this sea—we are overcrowded now."
"You must—close up, lie down, make room."
One of the officers offered to get out, then another did the same, but the captain would not hear. "No," he said, "you men have families."
Still the boat hung there in the darkness. What could be done? The waves rolled beneath, the wind moaned in the rigging.
"We might risk one more, sir," came from the boat.
The captain looked at Chester, big, strong, full of youth, and then at the slender, gray-haired man. What a pity, and yet he knew the younger man would have to remain. That is the law of the sea.
"I'll not go," said the father. "You go, Chester."