He emerged, still holding by the turn the captured bridge.
The feeble-minded faun (the stone-deaf man) led the way to Mr. Pike's
assistance, followed by Tony, the suicidal Greek. Paddy was next,
and in order came Shorty, Henry the training-ship boy, and Nancy,
last, of course, and looking as if he were going to execution.
The deck-water was no more than knee-deep, though rushing with
torrential force, when Mr. Pike and the six men lifted the section of
bridge and started for'ard with it. They swayed and staggered, but
managed to keep going.
The carpenter saw the impending ocean-mountain first. I saw him cry
to his own men and then to Mr. Pike ere he fled to the fife-rail.
But Mr. Pike's men had no chance. Abreast of the 'midship-house, on
the starboard side, fully fifteen feet above the rail and twenty
above the deck, the sea fell on board. The top of the 'midship-house
was swept clean of the splintered boat. The water, impacting against
the side of the house, spouted skyward as high as the crojack-yard.
And all this, in addition to the main bulk of the wave, swept and
descended upon Mr.
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