Sam was silenced, but not the less resolved to hold to his point, if possible. He still held back, while the captain, being busy with the others, some of whom were rather too eager to go, paid no further attention to him. Robin, Slagg, and Stumps, recognising Sam as their leader, fell behind him and kept close.
At last all were on the raft except the captain and the four friends.
“Now, then, come along,” said the former, somewhat impatiently.
“After you, sir,” said Sam, with a polite bow.
“Overboard, sir!” shouted the captain, in a voice that would brook no denial, and Sam at once stepped on the bulwark, for he was not naturally rebellious.
Just as he spoke the rope broke, and the raft fell astern.
“Jump! jump! it’s your only chance,” cried the captain, at the same moment springing into the sea.
Sam was on the point of following, when an exclamation from Slagg checked him. Looking quickly back, he saw that Robin was not there.
Our hero, while modestly standing behind his comrades, had suddenly remembered that the small bible given him by his mother was lying on the shelf at the side of his berth. He would have lost anything rather than that. There was yet time to fetch it, so, without a word, he turned and sprang below, supposing that he had ample time.
“Robin! Robin!” shouted Sam and Slagg together, at the top of their voices.