Sam grabbed the rope from the hands of his companion, but Dan suddenly s.n.a.t.c.hed it away again, observing that his companion was getting weak.

"Can you take care of yourself?"

"Yes," replied Sam faintly.

The next time the line was cast from the steamer, Davis grabbed it, and with his burden was quickly hauled alongside the plunging steamer.

Willing hands grabbed the lad, dragging him aboard and then began a frantic effort to pull up the drowning diver. Kester was hauled over the steamer's side a few seconds later.

The helmet was jerked from the head of the diver in wonderfully quick time, and then began a hurried effort to restore him to consciousness.

"Sam! Sam! Where is Sam?" cried Dan wildly.

For the first time they noticed that the red-headed boy was not on board.

"There! There! He's sinking!"

Dan made a rush to leap overboard.

"Hold him!" cried the ensign.

Two sailors fastened upon the Battleship Boy at the instant he was about to take the plunge.

"Keep working on Kester, and don't let the boy get away. I hold you responsible for him."

The ensign cleared the rail with a bound, leaping far out into the boiling sea, but Dan had not observed it. Giving a sudden tug, the boy freed himself from his companions. He was overboard in a twinkling. A boathook hauled him back, protesting and fighting to get away.

"The ensign is over. No need for you to go."

It was the same ensign who had rebuked Sam earlier in the day, and against whom the lad had taken a sudden and violent dislike on that account.

"Full speed ahead," commanded the c.o.xswain of the little steamer.

"Steady there, helmsman; don't run them down."

A desperate struggle followed amid the smashing seas. By this time the steamer was hard by.

"Cast a rope," commanded the c.o.xswain. A coil shot through the air, landing over the ensign's shoulder. He fastened upon it instantly, and a few moments later was drawn slowly to the steamer, one hand clinging to Hickey's red hair. The two men were hauled aboard in a half-drowned condition. Dan was the worst off of the three, however. He was not only suffering from broken bones but he had been under water for a long time.

He was barely able to speak now. His face was pale and drawn and his legs seemed unable to support him.

The first act of the ensign upon getting aboard, was to spring over to where Kester lay stretched out in the bottom of the steamer, the men still working over him, applying the methods that they had learned at the training station. Some of the men had been through the experience before and knew what to do.

"Is he dead?" questioned the officer.

"No, sir, I think not. See, the color is coming into his cheeks."

The ensign drew a deep breath of relief.

"Gangway! Let me have a hand, lads," he cried.

But the men stood fast.

"You are not fit for it, sir," answered Dan Davis, barring the way.

"Please, sir, sit down and rest yourself. We are fresh and you are not."

"You are--"

The words seemed to stick in the ensign's mouth.

"My lad, I think you have quite as much right to rest as have I. Stand aside," he added in a stern tone.

Dan fell back. The officer began working over the body of the diver, bringing his longer experience into play. In a very short time Kester was coughing and choking. It appeared almost as if he were strangling.

"Shall we get under way, sir?" questioned the c.o.xswain.

"Are we all here?"

"Yes, sir. The other boats are tied astern, their crews on board."

"Get under way as quickly as possible. Run as fast as you dare. These men need the attention of the surgeon."

"Aye, aye, sir. Full speed ahead!"

The steamer plunged away headed for the battleship. But still the ensign and his men worked over the diver. Little by little he regained consciousness. He was too weak to do more than glance about at them slowly, then his eyes closed wearily.

"We'll save him," muttered the officer. "We must save him."

"Catch Davis," shouted a voice.

A Jackie caught the boy just in time to prevent Dan from going overboard. They hauled him back with a laughing remark. Dan wavered on his feet for a few seconds then plunged heavily forward on his face.

"He's fainted, sir."

"Let him alone. We shall be aboard ship in a few moments. He will recover by that time."

Soon after that the little steamer ran in under the lee of the battleship. The rail was lined with officers and men.

"Anyone lost?" called the executive officer.

"No, sir; got them all. Two men in bad shape. Pa.s.s over a sling."

Sam was kneeling beside his unconscious companion a troubled look on his face.

Almost at once a rope sling was pa.s.sed over the side. The men reached for the unconscious boy. Sam motioned to the diver.

"Take him first," directed the lad. "He is the worst off."

Bill Kester, therefore, was hoisted to the deck; then came Dan Davis.

Tenderly they laid him on the deck. Stretchers were brought and the patients were started quickly for the sick bay.