The tall smokestack was bent awry, but its supports
had held, which was fortunate since otherwise the fires would have
been drowned out. At the moment, Captain Marsh was bending over
examining a bad break in the overhang--the only material damage the
tug had sustained.
At sight of him the crowd set up a yell. He paid no attention. One
of the life-saving men tossed a mooring line ashore. It was seized
by a dozen men. Then for the first time somebody noticed that
although the tug had come to a standstill, her screw was still
turning slowly over and over, holding her against the erratic strong
jerking of a slender rope that ran through her stern chocks and into
the water.
"He got it aboard!" yelled the man, pointing.
Another cheer broke out. The life-saving crew leaped to the deck.
They were immediately followed by a crowd of enthusiasts eager to
congratulate and question. But Captain Marsh would have none of
them.
"Get off my tug!" he shouted. "Do you want to swamp her? What do
you suppose we put that line aboard for? Fun? Get busy and use it!
Rescue that crew now!"
Abashed, the enthusiasts scrambled back. The life-saving crew took
charge. It was necessary to pass the line around the end of the
pier and back to the beach.
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