Part 8 (1/2)

”Go, sir, instantly!” roared the Captain.

”What! and leave you here?” cried the man. ”Not me. It's mut'ny, but I won't desert my Captain.”

Captain Trevor caught him by the hand. ”To save my boy, Jeffs,” he said hoa.r.s.ely. ”Man, I cannot desert my s.h.i.+p.”

The c.o.xswain looked puzzled, and hesitated.

”Quick, man!” roared the Captain. ”Ah! too late!”

For a tremendous wave struck the side of the ”Flash,” swept over her, and deluged the boat, hanging from the other side, with spray; and when the veil of foam fell, she had disappeared, and the three left on the bridge, were all that remained.

The Skipper had stood watching all, with a scared white lace, but he had not uttered a cry, for there were two people with him, in whom he had the firmest faith; and now, amidst the roaring of the waves, he stood, and listened to the angry scene which followed.

For Tom Jells had unfastened his life-belt.

”Put that on again, instantly!” cried the Captain.

”Can't, your honour. You ain't got one.”

”You are a stronger and a better swimmer than I am, Jeffs. I beg and pray you, then--I do not order you--to save my child and take him to his mother. Tell her I did my duty to the last.”

Tom Jeffs tied the life-belt on again, and said gruffly: ”It's your orders, sir, and I'll do it if I live.”

At that moment as if by magic the fog began to grow light towards the south. Then lighter still, and floated slowly eastward after the boats, leaving the ”Flash” quite clear, with the breaking waves sparkling in the sun. In another five minutes, there was the sh.o.r.e, not a quarter of a mile away, with a broad beach of sand beneath the towering granite cliffs.

”Ah!” cried the Captain; ”you can swim that, Jeffs?”

”I think so, sir.”

”Then go right forward with him, watch for a heavy wave, and over with you.”

The man nodded, and held out his great fist.

”You'll shake hands with me, sir?”

The Captain clasped his man's hand directly.

”You'll come too, sir?”

”Man, my arm is broken,” said the Captain.

Jeff stared at him in horror, and then, picked up the remains of the lead-line, and before the Captain could check him, he had lashed him fast to the rail of the bridge.

”I'm going to fetch a boat to take you off, sir,” he cried; and he stooped down to pick up Bob, and go on to the fore part of the vessel; but in spite of the roar and confusion made by the water thundering about them, and drenching them, as every wave broke, the gallant little fellow had fully realised the terrible position in which they stood, and eluding the c.o.xswain's grasp, he ran to his father, and clung to him.

”No, no,” he cried; ”I won't go. I'll stay with my father till you----”

”Spoke like a hero,” cried Jeffs, ”but orders must be obeyed, my lad,”