“Starboard a point,” called the captain from the bows, his eyes probing the dark, just faintly glimmering water, “starboard a point!”
“Starboard a point!” relayed Tew.
“Starboard a point it is!” the helmsman, at his little wheel, drew down the spokes to the side.
“Port—port two points!”
“Port—two points!”
“Port two it is!”
“Hard a-port! Hard a-port—quick!”
“Hard a-port—quick!”
There came a shout of dismay, a call from the pilot.
“Tiller rope’s broken!”