He was not a good swimmer, but fortunately the waves were rolling toward the houseboat, carrying him in that direction.

Harriet had dropped the tiller and was watching him narrowly.

There was no rope ready, the one that usually lay at hand having been lost with the launch, which slowly settled in the water, then disappeared.
The girl saw that the man was likely to be hurled against the side of the houseboat.

She snatched up a boathook and when he came within reach thrust it out to him.
"Hold steady until that wave passes, then I'll pull you in," she called.
The blow from the waves took nearly all the breath out of the man, but as soon as it had passed, Harriet hauled him quickly aboard.
Miss Elting reported that the "Red Rover" was leaking, that the launch had crushed in a plank on the side.
"Stuff clothing in the hole," ordered Jane.

"Here you, Mr.Man, please go in there and see if you can't nail up the broken place.