With the next wave, her bow ground against the shore. Shackleton, remembering his promise, urged Blackboro to jump ashore, but the lad failed to move. He seemed not to comprehend what Shackleton was saying. Impatiently, Shackleton took hold of him and lifted him over the side. Blackboro dropped to his hands and knees, then rolled over and sat down with the surf surging around him. “Get up,” Shackleton ordered. Blackboro looked up. “I can’t, sir,” he replied. Shackleton suddenly remembered Blackboro’s feet. In the excitement of the landing he had forgotten, and he felt ashamed.
