The ropes from the ship were cast off, and the oarsmen were ordered to give way.

The barge and the gig rose and fell, now leaping up on the huge billows, and then plunging down deep into the trough of the sea; but they had been well trimmed, and though the comb of the sea occasionally broke into them, drenching the boys with spray, the return to the Young America was safely effected.
"How happens it that you are all boys ?" asked the captain of the wrecked ship, who was in Paul Kendall's boat.
"That's the Academy Ship," replied the second lieutenant.
"The what ?" exclaimed the captain.
"It is the Young America.

She is a school ship." "O, ay!" There was no disposition to talk much in the boats.

The officers and crews were fully employed in keeping the barge and gig right side up in the tremendous sea, and though all hands were filled with curiosity to know the particulars of the wreck, all questions were wisely deferred until they were on the deck of the ship.
When the gig came up under the counter of the Young America, a line was thrown down to the bowman who made it fast to the ring.

The passengers were then taken aboard in slings rigged on the spanker-boom, which was swung over the lee quarter for the purpose.