“So that’s the reason you were not getting your boats out in a hurry?” I asked.

“Sure,” said he; “I’d as soon stay in her a bit longer as in many a bleedin’ craft that you sees a-goin’ in this trade.”

“I noticed you were one of the first to leave her,” said the young girl, with some spirit.

“Ah, mum, when you gets along in life like me, hardships is not good for the constitootion.  A sailorman, ‘e gets enough o’ them without huntin’ any more.  Howsumever, if I see any chance o’ gettin’ the bleedin’ craft in port ’way out here in this Hindian Ocean, I’d be the last to leave.  Bust me, mum, if that ain’t the whole truth, an’ a little more besides.  You ask your pa.”

Here he gave a sigh, and drew his hand across his forehead as if in pain.  His large pop eyes blinked sadly for a few moments, and his mouth dropped down at the corners.  Then his mahogany-colored face became fixed and his gaze was upon the craft he had just deserted.  What was in the old fellow’s mind?  I really felt sorry for him, as he sat there gazing sadly after his deserted home.  Captain Sackett would stay aboard until the last, his wife informed us, but as there was no necessity of any one staying now, if their boats could live in the sea that was still running, it was probable that they would all be aboard us before night.  Jenks, the old sailor, gave it as his opinion that they would have the boats out in half an hour.

We came up under the lee of the Pirate and then began the job of getting our passengers aboard her.

Trunnell passed a line over the main-brace bumpkin, and held the tossing craft away from the ship’s side until a bridle could be bent and the ladies hoisted aboard.

Mrs. Sackett trembled violently and begged that she would not be killed, much to her daughter’s amusement.  Finally she was landed on deck, where she was greeted by the third mate and escorted aft.  Miss Sackett was of different stuff.  She insisted that she could grab the mizzen channel plates and climb aboard.  I begged her to desist and be hoisted on deck properly, but she gave me such a look that I held back and refrained from passing the line about her.  As the boat lifted on a sea she made a spring for the channel.  Her hand caught it all right, but her foot slipped, and as the boat sank into the hollow trough she was left hanging.

Trunnell instantly sprang over the side, and letting himself down upon the channel, seized her hand and lifted her easily to a footing.  The ship rolled down until they were knee deep in the sea, but the little mate held tight, and then, with one hand above his head, as she rose again, he lifted his burden easily to the grasp of Jim, who reached over the side for her.

After she was landed safely the men crowded up the best way they could, and the boat was dropped astern with a long painter to keep her clear of the ship’s side.

Captain Thompson greeted his female passengers awkwardly.  He declared in a drawling tone that he was ’most glad that their boat was wrecked, inasmuch as it had given him the opportunity to meet the finest ladies he had ever set eyes on.