unintelligible commands.

All these things were registered upon Saltash's brain, his quick
perception leaping from point to point with a mental agility that was
wholly outside all conscious volition on his part. He was driven by
circumstance as a bird is driven by storm, and he went before it
undismayed, missing no chance of refuge.

A life-buoy hanging beside the hatch caught his eye as he glanced swiftly
around and in a second he pounced upon it. Toby slipped from his shoulder
as he bent, and slipping awoke. But he only lay and stared with dazed
eyes at the man frantically unlashing the rope, as one who looked on from
afar.

Then Larpent was with them again. He dragged Toby to his feet, and in a
flash Saltash turned, the life-buoy on his arm.

"What the devil are you doing?"

Larpent pointed. "They've got the boat free. Go--while you can!"

But Saltash barely glanced across. He put the life-buoy over Toby's head
and shoulders, and began to wind the rope around him. It did not need a
glance to know that the boat would never get away.

At his action Toby gasped, and sudden understanding awoke in his eyes. He
dragged one arm free, and made as if he would cling to Saltash.

"Keep me with you, sir!" he cried out wildly. "Don't make me go alone!"