"Yes," answered Zeb, as, with one hand on the line that now connected
the wreck with the shore, he sat down astride the mast facing him; "I
reckon I'll do't."

"Unlucky, isn't it?"

"What?"

"To save a man from drowning."

"Maybe. Untie these corks from my chest, and let me slip 'em round
yourn. How your fingers do shake, to be sure!"

"I call you to witness," said the other, with a shiver, "you are saving
me on your own responsibility."

"Can 'ee swim?"

"I could yesterday."

"Then you can now, wi' a belt o' corks an' me to help. Keep a hand on
the line an' pull yoursel' along. Tide's runnin' again by now.
When you'm tired, hold fast by the rope an' sing out to me. Stop; let
me chafe your legs a bit, for how you've lasted out as you have is more
than I know."

"I was on the foretop most of the night. Those fools--" he broke off to
nod at the corpses.