I looked at her. She was not over twenty, and very pretty. Her big eyes were looking right into mine.
"Sure, lady, you shall go," I said.
Jake and Bill stood right behind me.
"Have you a gun?" I asked the officer.
"No; haven't got a thing—let's hoof 'em."
"Avast slacking that boat down," I roared, rushing in.
"Tell it to George," snarled a big fireman, shoving me aside.
I hooked him under the jaw with all my strength, and he staggered back. Jake slammed the next man in the stomach, while the second officer waded in now, striking right and left in the press.
"Get back—stand back!" we roared; and, for a wonder, forced our way along the ship's side, taking the falls.
"Get a line below the block hook. Hold her off," came the order, and some one passed a line at the after fall, while a man in the boat pushed manfully against the ship's side to steady her.