ooks as if something had fouled at the fore top," replied Jimmie.
"He's going up to clear it, I guess. Oh, look!" the boy shouted. "He's
falling! He's broken one of the ratlines and is falling!"

"I see him!" cried Ned. "I can see him!"

"Oh, good!" exclaimed Jimmie, the next moment. "He hit the shrouds and
the steamer rolled at the right minute, throwing him clear of the deck.
See that splash in the water?"

"I see it!" answered the others, together.

"Are they trying to help him?" asked Harry.

"Yes, they are," stated Jimmie. "They've thrown him a ring buoy!"

"Can you see him now?" asked Ned.

"Yes, and he's swimming. There must be a current in here that's dragging
him away from the steamer. The buoy fell short and he's swimming directly
away from the steamer. He's coming towards us!"

Intently the lad watched the one in the water. He swam a good stroke
resting easily, even though somewhat impeded by his clothing.

Now and again as the crest of a wave approached the swimmer his head was
submerged, only to reappear again in the yeasty froth following the
racing monster. Eagerly his progress was noted by all on board the
schooner. They were at a loss to understand why he had left his own
vessel to swim toward a strange craft.

Presently, however, as he approached the Lena Knobloch the lad's strokes
became more feeble. He was evidently tiring rapidly.

"Captain, what do you say to getting a boat over?" asked Ned.

"Vhait!" grunted von Kluck. "Id's lots of vork to do id!"

"But the lad may need help!" urged Ned, eagerly.

"Vhell, if he needs id, I put him ofer. Nod before!"

Jimmie ran forward into the very eyes of the schooner. In his hands he
grasped a ring buoy, to which was attached a goodly length of line. This
he coiled ready to heave the buoy to the one in the water as soon as he
should come within reach.

Just as Jimmie was measuring with his eye the distance separating the
swimmer from his goal and preparing for a mighty throw of the buoy he
noted that the other's stroke was fast weakening.

With a jerk the Wolf unfastened and kicked loose a shoe. In an instant
the other followed. A rapid movement loosened his jacket. A backward
twist of his shoulders helped him slip from the garment.

One look over the rail showed that the swimmer was losing control of his
muscles. Both hands went up into the air only to disappear beneath the
crest of an oncoming wave. The boy stayed under.

"Stand by to g