Rexdale and Liddon, the officer of the deck, joined him in scrutinising the stranger, whose decks seemed to be crowded with men, among whom a struggle was evidently taking place.
Suddenly the commander exclaimed: "There goes a man overboard, and the scoundrels don't mean to stop for him!"
"He may be dead," suggested Staples coolly. "He seemed to be muffled in black, which isn't the fashionable costume for a Chinese coolie."
"We must pick him up," said Dave with energy. "He's alive and struggling. I can see his head now—I believe it's a negro. Port your helm a little, Mr. Staples. Head for the man and get your lifeboat ready!"
"Port, Quartermaster!" commanded the executive. Then, raising his trumpet to his lips, he shouted, "Man the lifeboat!"
It should be understood that the Osprey, like most gunboats of her class, carried two large "whaleboats." These were kept ready for lowering quickly, when the ship was at sea. The one which happened to be on the lee side at any given time was the "lifeboat." There is always a "lifeboat's crew" on watch, while at sea, permanently detailed, all fully drilled in their duties.
Staples's voice rang like a bugle-call throughout the ship and in an instant every man in the lifeboat crew was on his feet and racing for his station.
"Steady, Quartermaster," commanded Rexdale. "Keep her as she is. You're heading straight for him."
"Aye, aye, sir! East-north-east, sir!" responded the quartermaster.
"I'll relieve you, Mr. Liddon," said Staples. "You go down and look out for the boat!"