In the collision Page had been hit glancingly on the head by the gaff of the falling mainsail.
Page heard Dave's query with a muddled mind.

All he grasped was that Darrin was doubtful of his ability to keep them both up.
In an agony of unreasoning, stupefied dread, Midshipman Page swiftly wound both arms around Dave Darrin.
"Here!" commanded the young captain the crew.

"Don't do that!" But Page either did not hear or did not heed.

His arms clung more desperately around Dave, binding one of the latter's arms to his body.
"He'll drown both of us!" was the thought that flashed instantly through Midshipman Darrin's mind.
There was no time to think of more.

Before he realized that the thing was happening Darrin felt the waters close over his head.
Both midshipmen were going down.