Page:Harry Castlemon - The Steel Horse.djvu/193

 words were plain enough, Roy could not understand it. It was evident, however, that Tony could, for he called out:

"Goin' to pull farther in for shelter, are you? All right. Will you let some tired sailor-men aboard of you to ride in? We'll be glad to lend a hand."

This time there was no mistaking the answer.

"You're as welcome as the flowers in May," said a deep voice. "Drop around under our lee and come up."

"Be in a hurry, Bob," cried Tony, as he dropped back upon his seat and gave way on his oar. "The staysail is fillin', an' if she falls off much she'll run us under."

That was a moment of fearful suspense to the inexperienced Roy, who, dark as it was, could see that the immense ship was gradually swinging around toward the boat, slowly, to be sure, but with a power that seemed irresistible. But his crew were equal to the occasion. They easily got out of her reach, dropped around under her stern, and when Tony gave the word, Bob seized the painter