water's edge, on the other side, where, after slipping once or twice
on the wet and seaweed-covered rocks, he effected a safe landing, with
no worse harm than a wetting up to the knees.

"Now then, you two," he shouted; "no time to lose."

"Will you jump first, Monty?" said Russell; "both of you are better
jumpers than I, and to tell the truth, I'm rather afraid."

"Then I won't leave you," said Montagu; "we'll both stay here."

"And perhaps be drowned or starved for our pains. No, Monty, _you_ can
clear it, I've no doubt."

"Couldn't we try to swim it together, Edwin?"

"Madness! look there." And as he spoke, a huge furious wave swept down
the entire length of the gulf, by which he stood, roaring and surging
along till the whole water seethed, and tearing the seaweeds from their
roots in the rock.

"Now's your time," shouted Eric again. "What _are_ you waiting for?
For God's sake, jump before another wave comes."

"Monty, you _must_ jump now," said Russell, "if only to help me when I
try."

Montagu went back as far as he could, which was only a few steps, and
leapt wildly forward. He lighted into deep water, nearly up to his
neck, and at first tried in vain to secure a footing on the sharp
slippery schist; but, after a complete ducking, he stumbled forwards
vigorously, and in half a minute, Eric leaning out as far as he could,
caught his hand, and just pulled him to the other side in time to escape
another rush of tumultuous and angry foam.

"Now, Edwin," they both shouted, "it'll be too late in another minute.
Jump for your life."

Russell stood on the rock pale and irresolute. Once or twice he
prepared to spring, and stopped from fear at the critical instant. In
truth, the leap was now most formidable; to clear it was hopeless; and
the fury of the rock-tormented waves rendered the prospect of a swim on
the other side terrible to contemplate. Once in the grasp of one of
those billows, even a strong man must have been carried out of the
narrow channel, and hurled against the towering sweep of rocks which lay
beyond it.

"O Edwin, Edwin--dear Edwin--do jump!" cried Eric with passionate
excitement. "We will rush in for you."

Russell now seemed to have determined on running the risk; he stepped
back, ran to the edge, missed his footing, and, with a sharp cry of
pain, fell heavily forward into the water. For an instant Eric and
Montagu stood breathless,--but the next instant, they saw Russell's he