ngside of Madge, and speaking in the calm tone of a man
taking an evening stroll.

"Is that you, Slagg?" asked Sam, who was striking out vigorously.

"Yes, sir, it is," said Slagg. "You've no need to exert yourself, sir,
so violently. I know the spot well. We've bin washed clean over the
reef by the wave that sank us, into a sort o' nat'ral harbour, an' we
ain't far from shore. I can feel bottom now, sir, which, bein' a
six-footer, you'll touch easy."

"So I do!" exclaimed Sam, letting down his feet. "Madge, darling, cheer
up, we've got soundings. Give Sammy to Slagg. There, we'll do famously
now."

Only those who have been for a few moments in deadly peril can
understand the feeling of intense relief that came to Sam Shipton's
heart when he felt his toes touch ground on that eventful night. The
feeling was expressed in his tone of voice as he asked Slagg whether he
had seen any of the others.

"No, sir, I ain't seen 'em for want o' light, but I've heerd 'em.
Stumps is splutterin' behind us like a grampus. If you'll hold on a bit
an' listen you'll hear him. He's a bad swimmer, and it's all he can do
to save hisself. If he only knowed he could reach bottom with his long
legs, he'd find it easier. Not quite so tight, Sammy, my boy, and keep
off the wind-pipe--so; you're quite safe, my lad. As for the rest of
'em, sir, they all swim like ducks except Mr Ebbysneezer Smith, but
he's took charge on by Captin Rik, so you may keep your mind easy.
There's a bit o' flat beach hereabouts, an' no sea inside the reef, so
we'll git ashore easy enough--let's be thankful."

Jim Slagg was right. They got ashore without difficulty, and they
_were_ thankful--profoundly so--when they had time to think of the
danger they had escaped.

After a few minutes' rest and wringing of salt water from their
garments, they proceeded inland to search for shelter, and well was it
for the shipwrecked party that the captain of the lost yacht was
acquainted with the lie of the land, for it was a rugged shore, with
intermingled fields and morasses, and wooded rocky heights, among which
it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to thread one's way in
the dark without severe damage to the shins. But Jim Slagg led them to
a cottage not far from the sea, where they received from the family
resident there at the time a warm and hearty Scottish welcome.

It is not uncommon, we suspect, for eccentric natures to undertake the
most im