As I saw the manner in which they bent to their
work, and the progress we were making, I began to think our chance of
reaching the ship before the crew of the long-boat, by no means
desperate.

Morton, in spite of his slender figure and youthful appearance, which
his fresh, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, and brown curling locks,
rendered almost effeminate, possessed extraordinary strength, and
indomitable energy.

Browne, though his rather heavy frame and breadth of shoulders gave him
the appearance of greater strength than he actually possessed, was
undoubtedly capable, when aroused, of more powerful temporary exertion
than any other of our number; though in point of activity and endurance,
he would scarcely equal Morton or Arthur. Max, too, was vigorous and
active, and, when stimulated by danger or emulation, was capable of
powerful effort. Arthur, though of slight and delicate frame, was
compact and well knit, and his coolness, judgment and resolution,
enabled him to dispose of his strength to the best advantage. All were
animated by that high and generous spirit which is of greater value in
an emergency than any amount of mere physical strength; a spirit which
often stimulates the feeble to efforts as surprising to him who puts
them forth, as to those who witness them.

Browne had the bow-oar, and putting his whole force into every stroke,
was pulling like a giant. Morton, who was on the same side, handled his
oar with less excitement and effort but with greater precision and equal
efficiency. It was plain that these two were pulling Max and Arthur
round, and turning the boat from her course; and as I had not yet
succeeded in shipping the rudder, which was rendered difficult by the
rising and falling of the boat, and the sudden impulse she received from
every stroke, I requested Browne and Morton to pull more gently. Just
as I had succeeded in getting the rudder hung, the crew of the long-boat
seemed to have first observed us. They had cleared the point to the
southward, and we were, perhaps, a hundred yards nearer the long point,
beyond which we could see the masts of the ship, and on doubling which,
we should be almost within hail of her. The latter point, was probably
a little more than half a mile distant from us, and towards the head of
it, both boats were steering. The long-boat was pulling eight oars, and
Luerson, the man who had had the difficulty with the first officer at
the Kingsmill Islands, wa