The Broken Pitcher

The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
had glanced occasionally at the approaching schooner, and it was now almost abreast of us and not more than a couple of hundred yards away. It was a very trim and neat little craft. I could see a large black number on one of its sails, and I had seen pictures of pilot-boats. ¡¡¡¡'What vessel is that?' I asked. ¡¡¡¡'The pilot-boat Lady Mine,' Wolf Larsen answered grimly. 'Got rid of her pilots and running into San Francisco. She'll be there in five or six hours with this wind.' ¡¡¡¡'Will you please signal it, then, so that I may be put ashore?' ¡¡¡¡'Sorry, but I've lost the signal-book overboard,' he remarked, and the group of hunters grinned. ¡¡¡¡I debated a moment, looking him squarely in the eyes. I had seen the frightful treatment of the cabin-boy, and knew that I should very probably receive the same, if not worse. As I say, I debated with myself, and then I did what I consider the bravest act of my life. I ran to the side, waving my arms and shouting: ¡¡¡¡'Lady Mine, ahoy! Take me ashore! A thousand dollars if you take me ashore!'