The _Corsair_ was willing to undertake a towing job in order to save the forlorn _Dagfin_ and her cargo, but it was necessary to ask permission to leave the duty already assigned, and a radio was therefore sent to the Admiral at Brest. Meanwhile the sea was too rough to undertake the ticklish manœuvre of hooking onto the melancholy Norwegian and Commander Porter shouted through a megaphone that he would return and stand by. There was profound gratitude on the bridge of the _Dagfin_, but some deep-sea curses along the rail. To have rescue so near, and to behold the American warship depart! It was too much like having the cup of salvation snatched from one’s lips. Were they to be left at the mercy of the hell-begotten submarines? Steering northward to take another look for the _Macona_, Commander Porter changed course to sweep a wider area and, after several hours, received a radio reply from Brest, “_Stand by Dagfin. Tug will be sent when weather moderates._” This order was to be obeyed, blow high, blow low, and through two stormy days the _Corsair_ rolled and plunged within sight or signalling distance of the _Dagfin_ before any attempt could be made to board her. It was a furious gale, with squalls of snow and sleet, and the _Corsair_ was so knocked about while heading into it that she had to turn and run before the sea under steerageway of four knots. The water came piling over the stern until the depth charges had to be shifted amidships to change the trim of the ship and lift the overhang a little. It was a man’s-size job, from beginning to end, this playing friend in need to the _Dagfin_. With a sea anchor out, the _Dagfin_ had been lying broadside to the waves, and this could not have increased the comfort of her crew. She was swept and drenched and miserable, and, at best, there is no luxury in a two-thousand-ton Norwegian tramp. At last the wind lost something of its evil temper and the sea was less confused. On the morning of September 12th the _Corsair_ tried to get a line aboard, after receiving another radio from Brest, “_Take Dagfin in tow when weather permits_.” It was still too rough to put a boat over, so Commander Porter steamed to windward and attempted to float a line, buoyed by empty boxes, to the _Dagfin_, but the freighter’s drift was so much greater than the yacht’s that this scheme failed. [Illustration: THE DAGFIN, BROKEN DOWN AND HELPLESS. THE CORSAIR STANDS BY]