the row of slant-eyed faces peering down
over the rail. The little craft was by now a quarter full of water, and
as the Japanese yacht took on speed and swung away on its course Bert
started bailing desperately. He realized that there was hardly one
chance in a thousand of his being picked up before, in spite of all he
could do, the little boat would fill with water and sink.

However, he resolved to keep afloat as long as he could on the bare
chance of some vessel passing in his neighborhood. Accordingly he set to
work with the wooden scoop, sending sheet after sheet over the side. He
worked desperately, and at first almost thought that he was gaining on
the incoming water. His exertions were excessive, and before long he was
forced to bail more slowly. He kept watching a deep scratch in the side
of the boat to see if the water was gaining. With a sinking heart he
realized that it was. In spite of all he could do, it crept up and up
until finally it was over the scratch and the boat was nearly half full.
Luckily for him, the sea was unusually calm, or he must soon have been
swamped.

At the thought of all that it would mean to his country if he drowned
with his secret, Bert fell to with the scoop with furious energy, but was
not able to hold his terrible pace long, and finally flung down the
bailer in despair.

"Perhaps I can plug up the holes," he thought, and ripped off his coat.
He tore great pieces from it and tried to stuff up the holes, but to no
effect. Such crude plugs as he could make were inadequate to stay the
inrush of water, and he would hardly have time to insert one in one
opening before that in another gave way.

So he was forced to give up this plan, and had recourse once more to the
bailer. His only hope now was to keep afloat until he might be seen and
picked up by a passing boat. He strained his eyes over the surrounding
sea, but there was no sign of help in sight.

Slowly but surely the water crept up the sides of the boat until it was
only a few inches from the gunwales. As the boat sank deeper, the water
rushed in with ever-increasing force, and finally the conviction was
forced in upon Bert that he had really come to the end of his resources.
Of course, even after the boat sank, he could swim a little while, but
after his fierce fight on the deck of the Japanese yacht and his terrific
exertions afterward, he knew he would have little strength left.

Nevertheless he stripped off