The second cutter was on the port quarter of the vessel, and this movement
placed the boat under the lee. Mr. Gaskette had remained aft, and when the
ship had stopped her screw and nearly lost her headway, the captain shouted
to him through his speaking-trumpet, which the roar of the waves and the
escaping steam rendered necessary, to "Lower away!"

"Lower away when you are ready, Mr. Scott!" repeated the second officer.

Though Scott was only eighteen years old, he was an intuitive sailor, and
had a good deal of experience for his years. He had never before occupied
his present position; but his nautical genius, fortified by sundry combats
with wind and waves, made him feel quite at home. As the first officer had
done, he seized the auspicious moment when the retiring wave promised its
efficient aid, and gave the orders to cast off the falls.

The six oars grappled with the water on the smooth side of a great wave,
and carried it to the apex of the next billow; and she went off as
handsomely as the first cutter had done. Mr. Gaskette saw these manoeuvres
successfully accomplished, and then started for the pilot-house, to report
to the captain. On his way he could not help giving an inquiring look at
the manner in which the substitute for Bargate performed his duty.

At eighteen Louis was a healthy, vigorous, athletic fellow, developed by an
active life on the ocean, and weighing one hundred and fifty pounds. In any
trial of strength he was more than the equal of any other member of the
"Big Four," as the four young men berthing in the cabin called themselves,
borrowing the name from a combination of railroads in the West. He was well
trained as an oarsman, and the second officer was satisfied that he was
doing his full share of the work.