“Man overboard!” cried Tom, who had been nearer Charley than any other member of the crew.  “Throw me a ring buoy!”

He was over the side in a flying leap.  He had paused but an instant to gauge the spot where he believed he would find the other lad.  Charley’s effort to throw the dynamite as far as possible had resulted in his losing his own balance.  The severe motion of the Fortuna had completely upset him and he had fallen overboard.

Instantly all was activity and bustle.  Ring buoys hung in beckets at either side of the pilot house.  A long line was attached to each.  Jack tore one of these free preparing to throw it to his chum when he should rise to the surface.

“Can he swim?” queried Harrison anxiously coming up the companion-way.  “If he can’t, he’ll be in a bad way in this mess!”

“They both are Boy Scouts with medals showing proficiency in the art!” declared Harry.  “We can all swim,” he continued.

“Hurrah, then it won’t be so bad!  I’m hoping the explosion hasn’t stunned the boys,” cried Harrison hopefully.

“There they are,” shouted Frank.  “Can you see them?”

“I see them,” Jack answered, throwing the ring buoy with true aim.  “Stand by to help them aboard.  Charley needs help!”

Dashing the water from his face, Tom seized the ring buoy and with its assistance supported Charley’s face free of the surface until drawn to the side of the Fortuna and relieved of his burden.

First aid methods were speedily applied.  Charley was placed face down upon the deck, where the boys took turns applying the means of resuscitation known as the Shaefer method.  Harrison stood by in wonder observing every move.  At length he became discouraged.

“I’m afraid, boys, it’s no go,” he said.  “He doesn’t seem to be coming around at all.  The explosion must have hit him hard.”

“He may be a long time coming, but we’re going to keep at it in relays until we’re all exhausted.  He gave himself for us and we’re prepared to do the same for him.  He’s done his good turn today.”

“You’re right, boys; he certainly has,” declared Harrison.  “Now, I’m bigger than you lads and if you’ll show me how to do the work, I’ll help.  Maybe I could squeeze more water out of him than you.”

Under Harrison’s manipulations directed by the boys, Charley presently showed the flicker of an eye.  They worked faithfully over him for a considerable time and were at last rewarded by having him on the road to recovery from his enforced bath and attendant experience.  He had fallen into the water just as the explosion came.

“Well, Wyckoff won’t plant any more dynamite here this evening I hope,” declared Frank.  “That’s the second attempt on the Fortuna tonight and I’m going to take the first watch.  We’ll see if he does any more while I’m on guard.  I’m tired of this.”

“It must be getting on into the shank of the evening—­I see the moon.  What is the hour?” asked Jack from the forward deck.