gs, and she's going to try to get a line to them
vessels. But I wouldn't--"

Bradford did not wait for him to finish. He turned abruptly, and with an
air of authority brushed toward the tug, followed closely by Carroll and
Mina. At the edge of the pier was the tug's captain, Marsh, listening
to earnest expostulation by a half-dozen of the leading men of the town,
among whom were both Newmark and Orde.

As the three came within earshot Captain Marsh spit forth the stump of
cigar he had been chewing.

"Gentlemen," said he crisply, "that isn't the question. I think I can
do it; and I'm entirely willing to take all personal risks. The thing is
hazardous and it's Mr. Orde's tug. It's for him to say whether he wants
to risk her."

"Good Lord, man, what's the tug in a case like this!" cried Orde,
who was standing near. Carroll looked at him proudly, but she did not
attempt to make her presence known.

"I thought so," replied Captain Marsh. "So it's settled. I'll take her
out, if I can get a crew. Harvey, step up here!"

The engineer slowly hoisted his long figure through the breast-high
doorway, dragged his legs under him, then with extraordinary agility
swung to the pier, his teeth shining like ivory in his black face.

"Yas, suh!" said he.

"Harvey," said Captain Marsh briskly, "we're going to try to get a line
aboard those vessels out there. It's dangerous. You don't have to go if
you don't want to. Will you go?"

Harvey removed his cap and scratched his wool. The grin faded from his
good-natured countenance.

"You-all goin', suh?" he asked.

"Of course."

"I reckon I'll done haif to go, too," said Harvey simply. Without
further word he swung lightly back to the uneasy craft below him, and
began to toss the slabs from the deck into the hold.

"I want a man with me at the wheel, two to handle the lines, and one to
fire for Harvey," said Captain Marsh to the crowd in general.

"That's our job," announced the life-saving captain.

"Well, come on then. No use in delay," said Captain Marsh.

The four men from the life-saving service dropped aboard. The five then
went over the tug from stem to stern, tossing aside all movables,
and lashing tight all essentials. From the pilot-house Captain Marsh
distributed life preservers. Harvey declined his.

"Whaf-for I want dat?" he inquired. "Lots of good he gwine do me down
here!"

Then all hatches were battened down. Captain Marsh reached up to shake
the hand which