"Hullo, the boat! Who are you? What do you want?"
"Small boat adrift; two passengers; throw us a rope."
"All right; standby!"
I could hear his voice up above, shouting orders; there was a rush of
feet, and a rope's end fell within reach. The head bobbed over the
rail again, and, a moment later I had helped her up a swaying boarding
ladder, and felt the solid deck under my feet. The intense darkness
puzzled me, not a gleam of light showing anywhere. Suddenly a hand
touched my arm.
"This way, sir; help the lady aft--the deck is clear."
I could see nothing, barely the planks underfoot, yet there was nothing
to do but obey, with his fingers gripping me.
"What kind of a boat is this?" she whispered.
"I 'm sure I don't know; not big enough for a passenger liner."
"The officer is in uniform."
"Are you sure?"
We were at the head of the companion stairs, and descended carefully,
clinging to the rail. The officer, groping in the darkness, opened a
door at the bottom, and hurried us into the lighted cabin. Facing us,
one hand resting on the table, stood a short, sturdy man in uniform.
Before I could speak, or do more than glance about the Interior, my
eyes still blinded by the sudden blaze of light, he began questioning.
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