I will go as near as I dare." Frank could see the people on deck watching the boat.

They must have seen now that she was not the lifeboat; but even in their own danger they must have watched with intense interest the efforts of the tiny boat, adrift in the raging sea, to reach them.

Frank steered the boat within a few yards of the stern.

Then Jones and Ruthven, who were both rowing the same side, exerted themselves to the utmost, while Frank pushed with the steering oar.

A minute later, and they lay in comparatively still water, under the lee of the ship.