Had it struck him squarely it would have killed him.
Bob only hesitated an instant, though the narrow escape gave him a faint feeling in his stomach.

Then, before he could make the sailors understand what the trouble was, he grabbed the rope that was running free and, taking a turn about a cleat, prevented the further lowering of the boat.
"Good!" shouted Second-Mate Bender, who had seen what had taken place.

"You saved the boat, Bob.

In another second all the stuff would have been afloat.

Lively now, men.