“There seems great danger, while going at such extraordinary speed, of passing over the people who may have escaped from the burning vessel, don’t you see,” remarked Dr. Tourniquet.
“Never fear,” replied the captain. “If they can’t keep a sharp look out it’s their own fault; and if they don’t hail us when they see us, they can’t blame us for the consequences.”
“Ship, ahoy! Starboard your helm!” cried a voice; and immediately a shriek of piercing agony arose from under the ship’s bows as the swift vessel passed right over a large boat crammed full of men.
“Ease her! Stop her!” exclaimed a dozen voices at once, as soon as the accident was discovered.
“There! I told you how ’t would be, don’t you see,” said the doctor.
“Out with the galley and pick ’em up!” shouted Captain Compass, surlily; and the men hastened to obey the command.
“Take two or three blue lights with you, and stow them in the stern sheets,” he continued.
“Gently with her,” cried Hearty, as he and some of his messmates lowered the boat into the sea, and the first who leapt into her was Oriel Porphyry.
“Now, boys, pull away!” exclaimed the young merchant, as he laid hold of an oar, “and you shall be rewarded for every man you save.”