The ship tore past us, the foam of her bow wave splashing into the boat. I roared out curses upon the men above in her. Then she went on into the night. I howled, swore at her, called her skipper every name I could devise. The men seconded me, and together we called down enough curses upon that ship to have sunk her. Suddenly she seemed to slow up, to stop, and then lay dead in the gloom.
"Row, you bullies, row for your lives!" I yelled; and the men gave their last spurt, putting their remaining strength into the pull. We drew closer, and a voice hailed us from the ship.
"Ship ahoy!" I called again. "Throw us a line and stand by to pick us up."
We came alongside. A line was dropped down, and Jones seized it, snatched a turn, and we were fast. The ship was wallowing slowly ahead; but we hung alongside safe enough.
"Pass down a bowline," I sang out; "and be quick about it."
The line came down into the boat, and I slipped it over the head of Miss Alice Trueman, jamming it under her arms.
"H'ist away on deck," I directed; and the girl went aloft. The rest of us came one after the other.
"I can't take your boat, sir," said the captain; "haven't any room."
"Forget the boat. Give me something to eat and drink, and a place to lie down for a few weeks," I said, and I was led below.