desperate clutch without altogether loosening his hold upon the lad.
Frank's lungs seemed about to burst now and he struggled desperately to
push Davis away from him, at the same time maintaining his grip. Things
grew blacker than ever beneath the dark water; and then, suddenly, the
lad lost consciousness.

When Frank opened his eyes again he found himself in a small boat, with
nothing in sight but blue water and the sun beating down upon him,
shielded slightly from his face by what he took to to be a coat. The lad
rubbed his eyes and attempted to sit up; then fell back with a faint
moan.

This sound brought a second figure to his side and Frank felt a hand
upon his head as a well-known voice said:

"How do you feel, old man?"

Frank recognized the voice instantly. The speaker was Jack. Things came
back to Frank immediately and with an effort he sat up.

"How did I get here?" he demanded. "The last I seem to remember is
tipping Davis out of a boat. Then what happened?"

"Then you don't remember a struggle beneath the water?" asked Jack.

Frank racked his brain and a moment later it came back to him.

"Yes, I do," he replied. "I remember he seized me by the legs and I went
under. Then I grabbed him by the neck and tried to push him away, but he
clung and clung--and clung--and clung--and that's all I can remember."

"And no wonder," declared Jack. "You were under water for five minutes
before I could get to you. I got you as you were going down for the last
time. I didn't arrive a minute too soon."

"And where are we now?" asked Frank.

"In one of the small boats, making for shore."

"What shore?"

"Any shore. Belgium, most likely. But a storm Is brewing and----"

A sudden shout interrupted him.

"Vessel approaching off the port bow, sir!" came the cry.

Jack stood up hurriedly and looked across the sea. Sure enough, just
appearing over the horizon, a faint speck had become visible. Jack waved
his hand to Lord Hastings, who was in a second boat not far behind.

"Safe now, I guess, sir," he called.

"Unless it happens to be a German," returned his commander.

"Hardly, in this part of the sea," declared Jack.

The heads of the small boats were turned and they made directly for the
approaching vessel, which loomed larger and larger in the distance.

Jack returned to Frank's side.

"Ship, eh?" asked Frank feebly.

"Yes," replied Jack.

"British?"

"Haven't been able to make her out yet. Probabl