She can't manage it alone, an' it needs someone with brains to fix things up there for the rest of us." And he added hoarsely in Philip's ear: "Sharp's the word.

We 'aven't many minutes!" Philip made no demur.

The captain's strong common sense had suggested the best step that could be taken in the interests of all.

Iris, who was nearer yielding now that there was a prospect of being rescued than when death was clamoring at her feet among the trembling remains of the ship, silently permitted Coke and a sailor to strip off a life-belt and tie her and Hozier back to back.

It was wonderful, though hidden from her ken in that supreme moment, to see how they devised a double sling in order to distribute the strain.