I will give you half a crown gladly for the
job."
The man got into the boat and took his seat.
"Here they come," the captain went on. "We are only just in time.
Up-end your oars, lads. We ain't strong enough to cheer, but we
will give them a hearty 'God bless you!' as they come down."
George Lechmere came on first, and handed in a bundle of wraps,
parasols, and umbrellas. The captain stood at the top of the steps,
and as Frank and Bertha came up took off his hat.
"God bless you and your wife, sir," he said, and the men re-echoed
the words in a deep chorus.
"Thank you, captain.
"Thank you all, lads, for my wife and myself," Frank said,
heartily, and a minute later the boat pushed off.
The tide was running out strong, and they were halfway across it
towards the dark mass of yachts, when there was a sudden crash
forward.
"What is it?" Frank exclaimed.
"This fellow has stove in the boat, sir," the bow oar exclaimed,
and then came a series of hurried exclamations.
Frank had not caught the words, but the rush of water aft told him
that something serious had happened.
"Row, men, row!" he shouted.
"Steer to the nearest yacht, Hawkins.
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