Perhaps I had better go
with you."

"Just as you say, Dad," answered Phil. "We can take care of ourselves
though."

"All right then, I won't go, for you may want the room for those you
pick up," answered the shipowner; and a moment later the rowboat was in
the water and following the other small craft to the side of the burning
vessel.

Seeing those from the _Eaglet_ coming to the rescue, several others
leaped overboard, so that those in the rowboats had all they could do to
move without hitting any one.

"Save me! Save me! Don't let me drown!" yelled an elderly man, and
caught hold of one of the oars.

"All right, we'll save you. Take it easy," returned the first mate of
the _Eaglet_; and soon those in the mate's rowboat had the man on board.
In the meantime, the boat in command of the boatswain pulled in a woman
and a little boy.

Dave and his chums had their craft headed to where they had made out the
forms of a woman and a girl struggling in the water. They soon reached
the first of the pair, and after considerable difficulty managed to drag
her on board.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" gasped the woman, as she sank down on the
stern seat. "Now save Della! save Della!" she cried, and then suddenly
collapsed.

Dave had his eyes on the girl, and was on the point of reaching for her
when she suddenly threw up her arms and disappeared.

"She's gone under!" gasped Roger.

"Will she come up again?" asked Shadow, anxiously.

"There she is! Over there!" yelled Phil, and pointed to a spot several
yards away.

A hand and an arm had shown themselves, but that was all. In less than
two seconds they disappeared again.

Dave had done some rapid thinking. Before leaving the steamer the boys
had thrown off their coats. Now standing up, Dave cast his cap to the
bottom of the boat, and made a quick dive overboard.

"He's gone after her!"

"Good for Dave! It's the only thing to do if that girl is to be saved."

"Row on and keep your eyes wide open," directed Phil. "I don't think
they'll get very far away."

Dave had calculated the distance as closely as possible, and once under
water he pushed ahead with all speed in the direction where he had seen
the hand and arm. While at Oak Hall he had learned the trick of swimming
under water with his eyes open, and this now stood him in good stead.

"There she is," he thought, as he caught sight of something white
passing just to the left of him. He made a quick turn, and