“Aye, sir,� the boy asserted with a bravery that his voice belied.
“Then get down the companion and do best ’ee can when I lower away they other two. Hang on with one hand to they steps at the bottom and try to ease they down. You see us cain’t leave they on deck, lest they drown. Can do it?�
“Aye, sir, I can try,� the boy asserted, striving valiantly to meet such brave example.
“Then down ’ee goes. Here, I'll give a hand,� said Captain Josh, and did his best to assist the boy down the narrow opening and the steep steps. “Now stand by to help,� he called as he disappeared from the boy’s uplifted and encouraged eyes.
Captain Josh seized the ancient by the folds of tarpaulin and jersey, thrusting heavy, horny fingers next to the unconscious skin, and dragged his burden across the deck. The toes of the worn sea-boots dragged listlessly. The inert hands dragged with equal helplessness. But this was no time for anything but action. Captain Josh almost pitched headfirst into the companionway under the roll and swing of the sea as he lowered his burden downward. Under its weight the cabin-boy rocked and swung, standing upon one foot, imbued by the indomitable spirit above, and at least lessening the shock of the ancient’s fall.
“Cans’t drag him inside, lad? Good! A good lad! Then stand by for Bill. It’ll be hard on ’ee, because Bill be heavier than the old ’un,� he cautioned; and now with one hand, a bleeding head, but with an unconquered soul and resolute intent, he lowered through the narrow space the last stricken survivor of his crew.
The boy standing upon one foot was not equal to the burden. The weight fell heavily. It thumped upon the boards.
“What the hell do ’ee mean by—â€� began Captain Josh, inspired by habitual exercise of discipline; and then, remembering, changed it to: “Sorry, lad. Bill be mighty heavy for your arms. Doan’t ’ee worry. You’m be doin’ the best ’ee can. He aint hurt no worse than was by the fall. I be comin’ down now.â€�
He stood for a moment, inspecting with swift regard the skies, the waves, the aimless drift of the struggling ship, and then muttered, “She’ll ride! She must! It’s our only chance,� and then painfully dropped below.
At the foot of the companion stairs he found one of his men. Through the doorway in the cabin he caught sight of the cabin-boy struggling on one foot and despite pain to get the other off the floor and up to the bench or the bunk. He crowded inward, and the task was accomplished. The other man was also brought in, lifted upward, and laid supine. Shutting his teeth against his own anguish, and probing with one hand, the skipper fumbled an examination.