"Take the girl--quick," he implored. "I'll hang on. You can--tow
me."

The limp form was removed from his side and dragged over the
thwarts while a murmur of excited voices went up.

"Can you hold out for a minute, Murray?" asked Brennan.

"Yes--I think so."

"I'd give you my place, but you're too big to be taken in without
danger."

"Go ahead," chattered the man in the water. "Look after the girl
before it's--too late."

The captain's stout hand was in his collar now and he heard him
crying:

"Pull, you muscle-bound heathens! Everybody sit still! Now away
with her, men. Keep up your heart, Murray, my boy; remember it
takes more than water to kill a good Irishman. It's only a foot
or two farther, and they've started a fire. Serves you right, you
big idiot, for going overboard, with all those boats. Man dear,
but you're pulling the arm out of me; it's stretched out like a
garden hose! Hey! Cover up that girl, and you, lady, rub her feet
and hands. Good! Move over please--so the men can bail."

The next O'Neil knew he was feeling very miserable and very cold,