“Capt’n Davy! Capt’n Davy!” cried Willie Quarrie.
“Coming,” answered Davy. But still he stood at the top of the ferry steps, holding Lovibond’s hand, and looking into his face.
Then there came a loud voice from the bridge of the steamer—“Steam up!”
“Capt’n! Capt’n!” cried Willie from the bottom of the steps.
Davy dropped Lovibond’s hand and turned to look across the harbor. “Too late,” he said quietly.
“Not if you’ll come quick, Capt’n. See, the last gangway is up yet,” cried Willie.
“Too late,” repeated Davy, more loudly.
“Just time to do it by the skin of your teeth, Capt’n,” shouted the ferryman.
“Too late, I tell you,” thundered Davy, sternly.
Meanwhile there was a great commotion on the other side of the harbor.