The captain gave the order to call all hands; and, as soon as the ship’s company had mustered, the vessel was heaved to. The second cutter was cleared away, and her crew piped into her. O’Hara was detailed to take charge of her; and Mr. Rimmer, the carpenter, was directed to go in the boat, not only to render any assistance that might be required in boarding the steamer, but to examine into her condition.
The cutter was lowered into the water, with the crew in her, under the direction of Mr. Marline. It was no easy task to accomplish this work in the heavy sea. The boat rose and fell on the angry waves; but it was so well managed that very little water was taken in. Under the lee of the drifting steamer the water was comparatively smooth. The man who had hailed the Tritonia threw a line to the cutter, which Mr. Marline secured to the fore-thwart.
“Are we to lower the ladies into the cutter?” asked O’Hara, when the boat was fast to the steamer.
“I can’t say what’s to be done till we have boarded her,” replied the boatswain.
“Then I’ll do that same at once,” added the fourth lieutenant; and, suiting the action to the word, he ran up the line like a cat.
“Well, good gracious! this is one of the academy squadron!” said the man on board of the steamer, as O’Hara leaped down from the rail. “I thought so the minute I laid eyes on her; but, seeing her out here all alone, I gave up the idea at once.”
“Mr. Frisbone!” exclaimed the lieutenant, as he recognized the gentleman who had presented the American Prince to the principal of the academy squadron.
“Well, you boys are smart sailors; and you are an honor to your country,” added Mr. Frisbone.
“I thought you had given up going in any steamers, after your experience in the American Prince.”
“We went to Liverpool to meet my wife’s sister, who came over here for her health. The doctors said Malaga was the place for her to spend the winter; and we started for Spain. When I got into France, I found the Germans had got almost over to the seashore; and we took this steamer at Havre for Cadiz. Last night she was run into by another vessel, and had a hole knocked in her bow. We were the only passengers on board; and the crew jumped on board of the other vessel as soon as they found she had a hole in her.”