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