Hudson had gone into the mate's cabin.

Wylie waited a minute, then hailed again.

"Hy! on deck there!" "Hullo!" cried the captain, at last.
"Why didn't you come in the cutter ?" The captain crossed his arms and leaned over the stern.
"Don't you know that Hiram Hudson is always the last to leave a sinking ship ?" "Well, you _are_ the last," said Wylie.

"So now come on board the long-boat at once.

I dare not tow in her wake much longer, to be sucked in when she goes down." "Come on board your craft and desert my own ?" said Hudson, disdainfully.
"Know my duty to m' employers better." These words alarmed the mate.