he risk;
however, Eric's pleadings made him finally yield.

"You see," argued the sailor lad, "we can swim side by side, the same as
we have done many a time in the old canal at Lubeck; and then, should
either of us get the cramp, or feel `played-out,' as the skipper used to
say, why the other can lend a helping hand!"

And, so it was finally settled, that, on the first bright calm day when
there should be but little wind, and while the tide was setting out of
the bay in the direction favourable for them, which was generally at the
full and change of the moon, they were to attempt the task of swimming
round the headland to the west shore of the island. Thence they could
ascend the plateau in search of that animal food which they so sadly
required, the two having been restricted for some weeks to a diet of dry
potatoes, without even a scrap of butter or grease to make them go down
more palatably.

This being determined on, the two quickly made their preparations for
the undertaking, which to them appeared almost as formidable as poor
Captain Webb's feat of trying to go down the Falls of Niagara; although,
it might be mentioned incidentally, that, at the time they attempted
their natatory exploit, that reckless swimmer's name was unknown to
fame.

Of course, they had to consider that, should they reach the beach on the
other side all right and thus get up to the tableland, they would
require some weapon to bring down the animals they were going in chase
of; and, as both the Remington rifles as well as Fritz's shot gun had
been lost with the whale-boat, the only firearm remaining was the
needle-gun, which the elder brother had brought with him from Germany--
more, indeed, as a reminiscence of the campaign in which he had been
engaged than from any idea of its serviceableness.

However, for want of anything better, there it was; and, as Fritz had
plenty of cartridges which would fit it, the weapon had a chance of now
being employed for a more peaceful purpose than that for which it was
originally intended. It would, certainly, still take life, it is true;
but it would do so with the object of ultimately saving and not
destroying humanity.

There was the weapon and the cartridges; but, how to get them round with
them was the question?

The brothers could swim well enough without any encumbrance, still, they
would be crippled in their efforts should they be foolish enough to load
themselves with a heavy gun, as wel