With his free hand he pointed down the shaft of light.

So great was the tumult that to be heard he brought his lips close to David's ear.
"That's the revenue cutter!" he shouted.

"She's been laying for us for three weeks, and now," he shrieked exultingly, "the old man's going to give her a race for it." From excitement, from cold, from alarm, David's nerves were getting beyond his control.
"But how," he demanded, "how do I get ashore ?" "You don't!" "When he drops the pilot, don't I--" "How can he drop the pilot ?" yelled the youth.

"The pilot's got to stick by the boat.

So have you." David clutched the young man and swung him so that they stood face to face.
"Stick by what boat ?" yelled David.