"Give her half-speed, Mr. Staples," directed Rexdale, whose whole mind was now on the management of his ship, "and come round to pick them up!"
Again the signal jingled in the engine-room, and the ship, with helm a-starboard, circled round the lifeboat.
"Up oars! Shove off!" commanded Starr in low tones, as soon as the boat had detached itself from the patent hooks. "Let fall!"
The orders were repeated sharply by the coxswain, the oars dropped into the rowlocks, and were brought level with the rail, with blades horizontal.
"Give way together!" and away went the boat on its errand of mercy, foaming over the choppy sea, toward the struggling swimmer.
"Way enough!" ordered the midshipman, as they approached the black, woolly head bobbing about in the water.
Bob stood up in the stern-sheets, as the boat lost its headway. Suddenly a look of wonder came into his face, succeeded by a suppressed chuckle, to the amazement of the men, no one of whom, however, broke discipline by turning his head.
"In bows!" called the coxswain, in response to Starr's order. "Stand by there, to pull the man in! Hold water! Stern all!"
Again a ripple of amusement shot over the midshipman's jolly face, which grew red in his attempts to suppress his emotions.
The next moment the bow oarsman reached down and with a great effort pulled the dripping castaway in over the side.