The rope slipped from his hands and began to fly out over the stern.
He clutched it frantically, and was dragged after it over the sloping deck.
"Let her go! Let her go!" 'Frisco Kid shouted.
Joe let go just as he was on the verge of going overboard, and the skiff dropped rapidly astern.

He glanced in a shamefaced way at his companion, expecting to be sharply reprimanded for his awkwardness.

But 'Frisco Kid smiled good-naturedly.
"That 's all right," he said.

"No bones broke and nobody overboard.
Better to lose a boat than a man any day; that 's what I say.

Besides, I should n't have sent you out there.