"A touch from one of those floating timbers would send us to the bottom." The officer waved his hand, and then sprang head foremost into the sea.
So long was he in the water, that Walter began to think he must have struck against something, and was not coming up again; when suddenly he appeared, within twenty yards of the boat.

They rowed towards him, instantly.
"You must get in over the stern," Walter said.
The officer was perfectly cool, and, placing his hands on the stern, drew himself partly over it, and Walter, grasping his hand, dragged him in.

No sooner was he in, than Walter again hailed the wreck.
"We can carry one more." But those who were still on board were huddled up in the bow, waiting their turn for the rope.
"There is a big un coming now," Larry exclaimed.

"That will finish her." A wave, towering far above its fellows, was indeed approaching.

Higher and higher it rose.