Splash!
It was Trolley. The Japanese youth had suddenly turned, and, with a shriek of fear, had plunged headlong into the sea.
The crews of the cutter, launch and whaleboat exchanged glances of undeniable terror. Several seamen began shoving the boats away from the derelict with their oars.
“Belay that!” shouted Lieutenant Watson, in a rage. “Aboard the launch! pick up that cadet, and stand by to board. Here, Brown, steady this rope. I’ll see what’s up on this confounded craft.”
The last words were addressed to the coxswain, who instantly grasped the lower bight of the line and held it while the fearless officer ascended. Halfway to the top he held himself with one hand, and loosened his sword in its scabbard with the other. Then he began again to draw himself upward.
His progress was watched with breathless interest below. Suddenly the officer in charge of the sailing launch gave a muttered order. The crew fell to the oars and the launch dashed ahead toward the bow.
In the meantime, Trolley, dripping wet and evidently badly frightened, had been dragged from the water. His teeth were chattering, and his face had assumed a grayish pallor.
“For Heaven’s sake, what’s the matter up there?” queried Joy, in a frenzy of excitement. “Speak! where is Clif?”
The Japanese youth crouched in the bottom of the boat and muttered and shook his head like one demented.