But what could one man do? If two of the
sodden ruffians forrad would only come up, then something might be done;
but one tired sailor was of little use. Glenn resolved to make one more
appeal to the Spaniards, for he had a bright plan in his head, and he
needed no more than the aid of two men to carry it out. A spare mainyard
was lashed out on deck, and Joe had noticed it with the seaman's quick
eye when he came on board. If he could only get hold of a spare topsail
he could save the vessel, and he was ready to go on his knees to the men
if they would show him a sail locker. After imploring, cursing
threatening, for five minutes, Joe at last got the mate to lug out a
sail; then he persuaded a lad who was more sober than the rest to come
on deck with a lantern. Now, it will be noticed that foreign seamen in
general are dreadfully afraid of taking to the boat. During this present
winter our fellows have saved four or five foreign crews, and in every
case the vessels had their own boats undamaged, but the men dursn't risk
the trip themselves, so our fishermen had to peril their lives.
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