The refugees descried her
simultaneously and stood ankle deep in the wash, waving their hats
and their calabashes, and shouting crazily until she saw them and
fetched up.
Intense thanksgiving, a melting relief, robbed O'Reilly of half
his strength; his hands were shaking, his muscles weak; he could
barely bring his craft alongside. He saw black faces staring down,
he heard cries of amazement and surprised inquiries, then a
heaving-line came aboard and the leaky tub was drawn close.
There was a babble of voices, shouted questions, hysterical
answers. Rosa was weeping softly; Norine had lifted Esteban and
now clutched him tight, while her tears fell upon his face.
The schooner was a sponger bound for Nassau; its blackbird crew
spoke English and they willingly helped the strangers overside,
laughing and shouting in a child-like display of excitement. How
firm, how grateful was the feel of that stout deck! How safe the
schooner's measured roll! O'Reilly's knees gave way, he clutched
with strained and aching fingers at the rigging to support
himself, leaving Branch and Jacket to tell the surprising story of
their presence here. Soon there was hot food and coffee, dry beds
and blankets for those who needed them.
Johnnie tucked his bride snugly into one of the hard berths, then
stooped and kissed her.
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