Without an instant's hesitation Charlie threw off his coat, and kicked off his shoes, and with a loud shout of "Man overboard!" sprang from the taffrail and, with a few vigorous strokes, was alongside the drowning man.

He seized him by the collar, and held him at a distance.
"Now," he said, "don't struggle, else I'll let you go.

Keep quiet, and I can hold you up till we're picked up." In spite of the injunction, the man strove to grasp him; but Charlie at once let go his hold, and swam a pace back as the man sunk.

When he came up he seized him again, and again shouted: "Keep quite quiet, else I'll leave go." This time the soldier obeyed him and, turning him on his back, and keeping his face above water, Charlie looked around at the vessel he had left.
The Indiaman was still in confusion.

The squall had been sudden and strong.