Just then I saw Ham Peggotty running through the crowd to the edge of water. One end of a rope was tied around his waist, and the other end was held firmly by three strong men standing on the beach.
'No, Ham!' I cried, trying to hold him back. 'Don't try to rescue that poor sailor! You'll kill your self!'
'Let me go, Master David!' He replied cheerfully, shaking both my hands. 'If God thinks it's time for me to die, then I'm ready! Friends, I'm going in! Give me more rope!'