“I see him!” shouted the bow-oarsman, as the boat approached the buoy, still bravely bearing up its freight of human life and hope. “Steady, cockswain! Lay on your oars! Avast pulling! Back her! You will run ’em down!” By this time the boat-hook of the bowman was made fast to the buoy, and in another moment Jack and his companion in misery were dragged into the boat. “God bless you. Jack, my boy!” exclaimed Ben Blinks, folding our hero in his arms as a mother does her child. “Give way!” said the cockswain; and the boat came about, and pulled to the ship. On the passage, Ben worked vigorously upon the benumbed limbs of Jack, while two others performed a similar service for Beckett. When the boat reached the gangway, our sailor-boy was able to grasp the manropes, and ascend to the deck with the assistance of Ben Blinks; but Sam was hoisted up in slings just like a barrel of hard-tack. The sufferers were both handed over to the care of Dr. Sawsett; while the boats were recalled, hoisted up to the davits again, and the ship went on her course as though nothing had happened. In a couple of hours, Jack Somers was as good as new; and Beckett, when “the water was pumped out of him,” as Ben Blinks expressed it, began to improve, and, after “general quarters,” was able to give an account of his cruise. It had been whispered about among the people that there was some foul play connected with the affair; and, the report having reached Mr. Bankhead through the officer of the deck, he proceeded to examine into the case at the first practicable moment. “How came you to fall overboard, my man?” demanded the executive officer. “You are an ordinary seaman, and you ought to be able to go aloft without accident.” “Foul play, sir!” replied Beckett in surly tones. “What do you mean?” “The topman below me pulled me off the rigging, sir.” “Who was he?” “Somers, sir,” replied Beckett with the most unblushing effrontery. “Somers!” exclaimed Mr. Bankhead, astonished at the charge against his _protégé_. “Yes, sir: he caught hold of my legs, and pulled me off the rigging,” added he, looking up from the hammock in the sick-bay, where the examination was in progress. “Do you know who saved your life?--who jumped overboard after you?” “No, sir. Who was it?” “No matter who it was. Did Somers pull you off by accident?” “No, sir; I think not. We had some trouble in the mizzen-top last night, and I think he has a grudge against me. He was sarvin’ me out, sir.” “Marine, pass the word for Somers,” added Mr. Bankhead. Jack presently appeared, and had no difficulty in divining the occasion of the summons. The first-lieutenant stated the charge, which Jack promptly denied, giving a full explanation of the affair as it was. “Pass the word for Rushington,” said Mr. Bankhead; and the captain of the mizzen-top appeared, and substantiated Jack’s story. The trouble in the top was also ventilated. “They are lying on me, sir!” said Beckett.