He hollowed his hands and roared back: “We’re shipwrecked seamen adrift in a quarter-boat!”
Nearer and nearer came the shadow, and now it was a long, black hull, a funnel pouring forth a dense volume of smoke, spotted with fire-sparks, and tapering masts and fragile rigging, with the stars running through them.
“Ease her!”
The sound of the throbbing grew more measured. We could hear the water as it was churned up by the screw.
“Stop her!”
The sounds ceased, and the vessel came looming up slowly, more slowly, until she stopped.
“What is that?—a boat?” exclaimed a strong bass voice.
“Yes!” answered the boatswain. “We’ve been shipwrecked; we’re adrift in a quarter-boat.”
“Can you bring her alongside?”
“Ay, ay, sir!”