"Their boat is settling fast!" Tim did not need to be told what the object was in launching the gig.

Fortunately there had been a spare pair of oars in the craft when she came ashore, the big blades being fastened so they could not float away.

With these the captain and Tim began to propel the boat toward the sinking craft in which were Mr.Carr and Ned Scudd.
The two latter were bailing so fast that they had no chance to row.
Bob also went in the gig, but Mr.Tarbill remained on shore, nervously running up and down, wringing his hands and uttering vain wishes that he had never undertaken a sea voyage for his health.
It was not long before the gig was close to the other boat, and Captain Spark called out a glad greeting to his first mate and the sailor.
"What happened ?" he asked.
"We hit some floating wreckage last night," explained Mr.Carr.
"Stove quite a hole, but I managed to stuff part of a sail in it, and we did very well until early this morning.

Then some of the seams began to open, and we're filling fast." "I'll take you aboard," said the commander.

"We've got a nice little island waiting for you.