A voice out on the deck shouted: "Stand by, down there, with that labboard lead!" "No, I don't want the lead," said the pilot, "I want you.

Roust out the old man--tell him the Amaranth's coming.

And go and call Jim--tell him." "Aye-aye, sir!" The "old man" was the captain--he is always called so, on steamboats and ships; "Jim" was the other pilot.

Within two minutes both of these men were flying up the pilothouse stairway, three steps at a jump.

Jim was in his shirt sleeves,--with his coat and vest on his arm.