their assistance. I must first see if we can patch up the boat so as to
enable her to keep afloat."

On examining her, however, it was discovered that several of the planks
on one side were stove in, and that they could not repair her
sufficiently to keep out the water. At first Rayner thought of making a
raft out of the materials of the boat; but he soon came to the
conclusion that he should never be able to paddle it against the seas
which came rolling in.

"It must be done," he said to himself. "I have swum as far in smooth
water, with no object in view; but strength will be given me. I trust,
when I am making an effort to save my fellow-creatures. Crofton might
perhaps swim to the shore, but nothing would induce him to leave a
shipmate alone to perish."

All this time Oliver and Jack could be seen seated on the deck, holding
on to the stanchions to save themselves from being washed away by the
seas which, occasionally breaking over her side, poured down upon them.

It of course occurred to Rayner that if Oliver could manage to float a
cask, or even a piece of plank secured to the end of a rope, a
communication might be established between the wreck and the shore; but
as far as he could see, the running rigging and all the ropes had gone
overboard with the masts, and the only coil saved was that which had
been brought in the boat.

"Go off again I must," he said; "and I want you, my lads, to promise me,
should I perish, that you will use every exertion to save the people on
the wreck. Fletcher, you know our object in coming on the coast. You
must go to the authorities and explain that we had no hostile
intentions--that our wish was to land the Frenchmen whose lives we had
saved; and if you explain this, I hope that you will all be well
treated."

Even Tom was struck by his officer's courage and thoughtfulness; and he
and his messmate promised to obey his orders.

Rayner, having now committed himself to the care of Heaven, prepared to
swim off to the wreck. He knew that Oliver would see him coming, and
would be ready to help him get on board. Waiting until a sea had broken
on the beach, he followed it out, and darting through the next which
rolled forward, he was soon a long way from the shore. He found he
could swim much better than before, now that he had no rope to carry.
Boldly he struck forward. Happily he did not recollect that those seas
swarmed with sharks. On and on he went. Now and aga