"Light up, Murray!" called the officer, when the despatch boat was but a short distance from the steamer.
The blue-light hissed and flared up when the match was applied, shedding its livid glare upon the weather-stained faces of the seamen.
"Over with it!" shouted the officer.
It soused into the water, and I leaned forward to observe the splash.
"Stand by the fore-braces!" called the officer; and the seamen rushed forward to execute the order.
At that moment I heard a step behind me on the deck; but I was too much absorbed in watching the blue-light on the barrel to heed anything else. The next instant I found myself spinning through the air, and then plunging deep down into the bosom of the tranquil sea. I was in my element now, though it was rather too much element; but I struck out, as soon as I rose to the surface, for the blue-light. I shouted for help; but the great steamer seemed to be hard of hearing, and went on her way as though nothing had happened. I swam as I had never swum before, and reached the barrel just as the despatch boat stopped her wheels to pick it up.
"Steamer ahoy!" I shouted
"Who's there?" called a voice from her deck.
"Man overboard!" I replied, puffing from the violence of my exertions.
"Where away?"