Harry, too, leaned far out and in his eagerness to be of help nearly lost his balance and all but plunged into the sea.

“Steady!” gasped Jack.  “Slow and steady now or he’s gone!”

With a mighty heave the two boys dragged the figure to a level with the rail and then Tom left his post and came to their help.

It was now but a short task to get the rescued person on deck, but he was so chilled and exhausted that he could not stand.

“Let’s put him below as quickly as we can, boys,” Jack suggested.  “Arnold has some hot coffee already cooking and that’ll help him as much as anything we can do.  Easy with him, now, maybe he’s hurt.”

With tenderness and skill the boys who had been trained to care for injured persons helped the visitor who had boarded their vessel so strangely and all unannounced down the companion-way into the cabin where he was speedily given a change of clothing followed by a steaming cup of fragrant coffee.

Jack again assumed command in the pilot house while Arnold took up his interrupted preparations for the meal.

“Be sure you fry an extra big piece of that Red Snapper for the new lad,” directed Tom as he prepared to go again to the pilot house.  “He’s about half starved and pretty near used up, I guess!”

“You know I’ll take care of him all right!” replied Arnold.  “I’m sorry we broke his boat up like that but I guess we can all take a knot out of our neckties today.  Wasn’t it lucky he caught the cable, though?  I’m delighted that we were able to save him!”

“Of course, we couldn’t be blamed for running into him,” said Tom.  “I’m glad we rescued him from his awful predicament and now we’ll have to be extra good to him to make up for it!”

So saying he passed up the companion-way and into the pilot house joining Harry and Jack at their ceaseless vigil.

Busily engaged with his work in the kitchenette, Arnold was quite surprised to observe the door leading into the after cabin open softly.  It admitted the newly found stranger.  He had been given spare clothes belonging to the boys and looked little the worse for his rough experience of only a short time before.  His eyes were black and piercing and might have been pleasant were it not for his disagreeable habit of not looking directly at the one with whom he was talking.  His glance roved about the place taking in every detail yet never resting long in any one place.

“How do you do?” pleasantly queried Arnold resolving to be congenial in spite of his instant distrust of the other.  “I’m sorry we ran you down and ruined your boat, but I’m glad we got you aboard in time to save your life.  It was a lucky accident.”

Advancing in his frank and friendly manner he held out his hand in greeting.  The stranger at first drew back, then as if thinking better of his resolve, he thrust forth his hand for a quick handshake, almost instantly releasing Arnold’s grasp.