"Hullo, the boat! Who are you? What do you want?"
"Small boat adrift; two passengers; throw us a rope."
"All right; standby!"
I could hear his voice up above, shouting orders; there was a rush of feet, and a rope's end fell within reach. The head bobbed over the rail again, and, a moment later I had helped her up a swaying boarding ladder, and felt the solid deck under my feet. The intense darkness puzzled me, not a gleam of light showing anywhere. Suddenly a hand touched my arm.
"This way, sir; help the lady aft—the deck is clear."
I could see nothing, barely the planks underfoot, yet there was nothing to do but obey, with his fingers gripping me.
"What kind of a boat is this?" she whispered.
"I 'm sure I don't know; not big enough for a passenger liner."
"The officer is in uniform."
"Are you sure?"