CHAPTER IX. THE FIGHT ON THE DERELICT.
The lieutenant and the crew of the whaleboat, at first aghast with horror and amazement, speedily recovered their wits.
Springing to his feet, the officer made a grasp for the dangling rope. Before he could reach it, a long wave swept along the rolling hull and caught the whaleboat upon its crest.
There was a surge and a violent wrench, and over went the luckless officer headlong into the sea. The frail craft was swept under the sloping stem, dashed once against the hull, and then it capsized, throwing the whole crew into the water.
All this was witnessed by the Monongahela’s crew, and excitement reigned on board.
Captain Brookes took personal charge of affairs, and under his able direction two boats, the cutter and sailing launch, were lowered and manned.
In the latter went Trolley and Joy, both managing to slip aboard during the excitement.
As yet the full extent of the tragedy was not known. Clif had been seen to climb over the railing, but the unearthly cry and the appeal for help had not reached the practice ship. Then came the capsizing of the whaleboat, and the instant necessity of action.
Lieutenant Watson took command of the cutter, which was the faster of the two. He was an able man, and he soon had the crew bending to their oars.