“All that we can do I see, sir, is to stand by till the sea goes down, and then, God willing, take her off,” said Mr. Coffin.
“Why, that old hulk may sink at any moment!” cried Brandon. “I won’t stay idle and see that girl drown after all she has done for me.”
“An’ it’s Adoniram’s niece—no doubt of it,” murmured Caleb.
“That is another reason why we should try to save her. I haven’t forgotten all that Mr. Pepper has done for me,” declared Brandon decidedly.
“But, lad, lad, what can we do?” gasped the captain. “It’s not a living possibility to send a boat to that brig, and I dare not risk the lives of all these men in my care by running in near enough for a cable to be thrown.”
“And the girl probably couldn’t fasten it, if we did,” added Mr. Bolin.
“Then we must do something else. Run by her, Caleb, and I’ll carry a rope to the brig.”
“You’re crazy!” cried Mr. Coffin.
“Maybe I am,” Brandon returned, his face white and set; “but I shall do it.”
Swivel, who was clinging to a guard rope within hearing, struck in with him.