"Take my oar!" commanded Cap'n Abe. "I got a niece--he's her father.
Hi-mighty! I just got to get him aboard!"
With an agility that belied his years he leaped for the schooner's rail
as the next surge rose. He swarmed inboard and started up the shrouds.
Those below remained silent while he climbed.
He reached the helpless man, whipped out his knife, cut the lashings.
Slight as the storekeeper seemed, his muscles were of steel. As though
the half-conscious professor were a child, he lowered him to the
slanting deck.
"Only room for one o' you!" roared Cap'n Trainor. "Only one! We're
overloaded as 'tis. Better wait."
"You'll take _him_!" shouted Cap'n Abe, and dropped his burden at
Lawford Tapp's feet.
The next moment the lifeboat shot away from the side of the wreck,
leaving the Man Who Was Afraid marooned upon her deck.
That was a perilous journey for the overladen boat. Only the good
management of Cap'n Trainor could have brought her safely to shore.
And when she banged upon the beach it was almost a miracle that she did
not start all her bottom boards.
Pages:
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372