"Don't be alarmed, miss," said Shuffles, as he seized a kind of tub which was filled with fish-lines and other angling gear.
"What shall I do?" asked the young man, whose pluck had by this time become quite exhausted in his vain battle with the elements.
"Can you pull an oar?" demanded Shuffles, rather sharply, of the clumsy boatman.
"I can."
"Take this one, then, and keep her head as it is now."
The young man took the oar, and pulled as he was directed; and Shuffles went to work vigorously with the tub, in throwing out the water. He labored so diligently and effectually, that in a few moments he had relieved the boat of the great burden of water within her. While he did so, he gave the young man such directions as enabled him to keep the craft poised with her head to the fierce gusts that beat upon her. In this position she rose and fell on the great billows, and shipped very little water. The steamer had started her wheels again; but while she did not venture very near the boat, she lay by to render assistance if the latter were swamped. The lady, finding that the frail craft, under her present management, behaved very well, sorely as she was tried by the tempest, was encouraged.
"Can I do anything?" she asked, in soft notes, though they were still shaken by her fears.
"No, miss: if you will only keep perfectly still, I can take care of her."
"Here is a basin," said she, holding up the implement. "Shall I throw the water out of her?"
"If you please," answered Shuffles, willing to encourage her; for even the belief that one is doing some good, in an emergency, assists in quieting one's fears.