to my ear."

"Hoist him up a little higher," panted the other speaker.

"How can I? I've got my arm round him, but if I stir it means let go.
What are you doing, mate?"

"Trying to get down to you, but as soon as I stir the bough begins to
crack."

"Steady, mate, steady! I can't see you, but I can hear, and if you come
down on us we are gone. Here, I say, it will be hours before it's
morning, won't it?"

There was a groan in reply--a big groan formed by several voices in
unison.

"But how long will it be before, the tide goes down and leaves us?"

There was no reply, and a dead silence fell upon the occupants clinging
to different portions of the tree, all of whom had managed with the
strength and activity of sailors to drag themselves up beyond the reach
of the water and at varying distances from where Joe Cross clung with
one messmate hanging just above his head.

"Well, look here, messmates," said Joe at last, "it's no use to make the
worst on it. I've got the young skipper all right, and he's growing
more lively, for he just give a kick. Now who's this 'ere? It's you,
Harry Briggs, aren't it?"

"Ay, ay, mate; me and water, for I swallowed a lot before I got out of
it."

"Now, look here; how are you holding on?"

"Hanging down'ards, my lad, with my hind legs tied in a knot round a big
bough; and I keep on trying to get hold of you by the scruff, but I
can't quite reach."

"Why, that's a-hinging like the bees used to do outside my old mother's
skep. Well, you mustn't let go, my lad, else down you come."

"Well, I know that, mate," growled the man. "But I say, can't you reach
up to my hands?"

"Yah! No!" growled Joe. "I've only got two. Can't you reach down a
little further and get hold of my ears, or something?"

"My arms aren't spy-glasses, and they won't reach within a foot of you.
Can any of you swarm out above us here?"

"No--no--no!" came in voice after voice, from points that were evidently
fairly distant.

"Oh!" groaned the sailor addressed as Harry. "Fust time in my blessed
life I ever wished I was a 'Merican monkey."

"What for, mate?" panted Joe.

"So as to make fast round this 'ere branch with my tail."

"Joe! Joe!" came in a low hoarse tone. "Where am I!"

"Well, you are here, my lad; but don't let go with your teeth. Take
another good fast hold, but more outside like. Keep to the wool of the
jumper--if you can."

"Hah! I recollect now. We are in the water, a