Blow the Man Down - A Romance of the Coast

"Mr. Marston, this young woman needs--"

"Get into that boat, or I'll have the bunch of you thrown overboard!"

The owner spoke in low tones, but his furious determination was

apparent.

"We will go without being thrown, sir. Will you order us set aboard that

fisherman?" He pointed to the little schooner which was almost within

hailing distance.

"Get off! I don't care where you go!" He crowded past Mayo, seized his

daughter's arm, and led her aft.

She seemed to have expended all her determination in her sensational

outburst.

The captain met her pleading gaze as she turned to leave. "It's for the

best," he declared, bravely. "I'll make good!"

The pathetic castaways from the Polly made a little group at the

gangway, standing close to the rail, as if they feared to step upon the

white deck. Mate McGaw intercepted Mayo as he was about to join them.

"Hadn't I better stretch Section Two of the collision act a mite and

scare him with the prospect of a thousand-dollar fine?" asked the mate,

eagerly. "My glory, Captain Mayo, I'm so weak I can hardly stand up!

Who'd have thought it?"

"We'll go aboard the schooner, Mr. McGaw. It's the place for us."

"Maybe it is, but I'll speak up if you say the word, and make him set

you ashore--even if I leave along with you?"

"Keep your job, sir. Will you pick up my few little belongings in my

stateroom and bring them to me, Mr. McGaw? I'd better stay here on deck

with my friends." He emphasized the last word, and Captain Candage gave

him a grateful look. "I'm sorry, mates! I can't say any more!" Captain

Mayo did not allow himself to make further comment on the melancholy

situation. The others were silent; the affair was out of their

reckoning; they had no words to fit the case. Polly Candage stood

looking out to sea. He had hoped that she would give him a glance of

understanding sympathy, at least. But she did not, not even when he

helped her down the steps into the tender.

Mate McGaw came with the captain's bag and belongings, and promptly

received orders from the owner from the quarter-deck.

"Go on to the bridge and hail that schooner. Tell her we are headed for

New York and can't be bothered by these persons!"

Mr. McGaw grasped Mayo's hand in farewell, and then he hurried to his

duty. His megaphoned message echoed over their heads while the tender

was on its way.