The Patrol Leader's reminiscence was interrupted by a warning shout from old Tom Boldrigg, who was in his favourite post as look-out man. Simultaneously the Acacis put her helm over to starboard, while a white object was hurled from her port quarter.
"Man overboard," shouted Boldrigg. "A hand from the tramp's in the ditch."
Mr. Armitage opened the window of the wheel-house and warned Roche to stand by with his reversing-lever.
"There he is!" exclaimed Peter. "A point on our port bow."
"Easy ahead!" ordered the Scoutmaster, then "Stop!"
The Olivette was now within fifty yards of the man, who was swimming towards the buoy. It was evident that he was not a good swimmer. He was splashing violently, and making very little headway in proportion to the energy he displayed, and already his strength was diminishing. It was a question whether he might succeed in gaining the buoy before he became exhausted.
Flemming, Woodleigh, and Warkworth ran for'ard, the former with a boat-hook and the others with life-lines. Eric shouted encouragement to the swimmer, and for the first time the man seemed conscious of the approach of the Olivette.
"He's almost done for!" exclaimed Woodleigh.
The time taken by the Olivette to approach the man seemed interminable, but as there was a considerable "lop" on, Mr. Armitage dare not risk holding on at any speed for fear of running down the swimmer. The Scoutmaster was manoeuvring to bring the boat to a standstill dead in the eye of the wind and close to the man. Once the Olivette got broadside on to the wind she would be swept far to leeward of the swimmer, and lose valuable time before she could again get within close distance.
Flemming held the boat-hook stave towards the man, but the latter had not the strength to grasp the ash pole. Before the Sea Scout could reverse the boat-hook and catch the swimmer with the metal hook, the man was beyond reach.