y
slowly and carefully ranged them along the bottom of one of the boats,
so as to distribute their weight.

While this was going on, stewards and galley helpers were filling the
other boat with provisions--in boxes, barrels, and packages. Then the
word was given, and the boats were cast off and lowered, the tackles of
the heavier groaning mightily under the strain.

When they struck the water, the falls were instantly let go; and, as the
boats drifted astern, the tackles unrove their long length from the
blocks, and were hauled on board again.

Forsythe stopped the engines, and then backed toward the drifting boats.
As the destroyer passed the stern of the giant steamer, a shout rang
out; but only Denman heard it above the buzzing of voices. And it seemed
that only he saw Casey spring from the high rail of the mammoth into the
sea; for the rest were busy grappling for the boat's painters, and
Forsythe was looking aft.

When the painters were secured and the boats drawn alongside, Forsythe
rang for half speed; and the boat, under a port wheel, swung away from
the _Gigantia_, and went ahead.

"There is your man Casey," yelled Denman, excitedly. "Are you going to
leave him?"

Forsythe, now looking dead ahead, seemed not to hear; but Riley spoke
from the hatch:

"Hold yer jaw back there, or ye'll get a passage, too."

With Casey's cries in his ears--sick at heart in the belief that not
even a life-buoy would avail, for the giant steamship had not stopped
her engines throughout the whole transaction, and was now half a mile
away, Denman went down to Florrie, obediently waiting, yet nervous and
frightened.

He told her nothing of what had occurred--but soothed and quieted her
with the assurance that they would be rescued soon.

CHAPTER XXV

The engine stopped; and, climbing the steps to look forward, Denman saw
the bridge deserted, and the whole ten surrounding an equal number of
strong boxes, stamped and burned with official-looking letters and
numbers. Farther along were the provision; and a peep astern showed
Denman the drifting boats.

The big _Gigantia_ had disappeared in the haze that hid the whole
horizon; but up in the western sky was a portent--a black silhouette of
irregular out-line, that grew larger as he looked.

It was a monoplane--an advance scout of a scout boat--and Denman
recognized the government model. It seemed to have sighted the
destroyer, for it came straight on with a rush, circled