to bring them off. The surf had in the
meantime got up; however, the canoe was as well able to pass through it
as any of the other boats.

"We must not run the risk of losing the leeches," observed Paddy. "I
will fasten the jar with a lanyard round my neck, and then, if the canoe
is capsized, that will be saved at all events, as we can easily scramble
into her again."

This was done, and into the surf the canoe was launched. She breasted
the rising seas bravely, for she was very light, and her black crew
handled her beautifully. Both Adair and Frazer thought the last rollers
passed, and were congratulating themselves on being certain to get on
board without a ducking, when unexpectedly a white-topped sea rose
directly upon them, and in a moment they found themselves rolled over
into the water. They clung to the canoe, and the black crew swam round
her, and striking out before they attempted to right her, towed her away
entirely from the influence of the breakers. Paddy and Frazer had some
unpleasant misgivings about sharks, but the blacks shouted and shrieked
so loudly, that if there were any they were kept at a distance. They
were soon, however, again seated in the canoe; and as the frigate had
stood in to meet them, it was not long before they were close to her.

"I say, doctor, I feel some rather unpleasant sensations about my neck,"
observed Paddy. "I can't help thinking that some nettle-fish must have
got hold of me in the water. I feel the stinging all over me, right
down my breast. What can it be?"

"Bear a hand there and get that canoe up alongside," sang out the
officer of the watch from the deck of the frigate.

The order was speedily obeyed, and the dripping officers and black crew
were soon standing on the deck.

"Hillo, Paddy, why what's the matter with you?" exclaimed Jack, who had
been watching the canoe, "you are all streaming with blood."

"It's a jelly-fish got hold of me, I conclude," answered Paddy; but
looking down he saw the jar into which he had put the leeches dangling
at his neck, but the cork was out, so were the leeches, and they, of
course, had fixed themselves to the first body with which they had come
in contact. This was Paddy's neck. They had just now begun to drop
off, and streamlets of blood were running down from him in every
direction. Poor Paddy was indeed a most pitiable object, with his hair
all lank and wet hanging down his face, for he had lost his hat, and h