“Run up under Sullivan’s Island,” I directed Master Lewis. “If necessary, we’ll beach the boat and seek protection in Fort Moultrie.”
He promptly turned our bow that way, and the coming vessel changed her own course just enough to follow in our wake.
“She must see us!” I now exclaimed in my surprise.
“It looks so, but I do not see how,” the boatswain admitted in a puzzled way.
“Change again towards the point,” I ordered.
He did so, and again the ship turned. All the while she had been gaining rapidly upon us, and now was so near I was anxious lest she run us down.
“Port! Port your helm!” I cried, hoping in that way to swing clear of her. But we were too late. I had only time to call to my men to save themselves by springing upon her deck, as she cut our yawl in two.
Following the advice I had given my men, I leaped for her rail. She was not so large nor so high out of water as she had seemed when farther down the bay, and I caught the railing and pulled myself up on her deck. Rising, I shook the water from my clothing, and then heard a voice near me say:
“I’m right along with you, sir.” It was Boatswain Lewis.
“So am I,” another and then another voice exclaimed.