s of the tangled rigging and pieces of
the wreck, they struggled in vain to gain the shore. One after the
other they were swept out to sea and lost. It was evident that none of
the other boats would serve to carry the line on shore. Again the
experiment was tried with a cask, but failed.

"I say, Murray--Adair," exclaimed Jack, earnestly, "do you know, I think
that I could do it. I was always a first-rate swimmer, you know, for my
size. I'll ask the captain's leave to try."

"No one in the berth is better able to do it than you are," replied both
his companions.

"Oh Jack, I wish that I could go with you," cried Murray, as he wrung
his hand.

"So do I," added Adair; "but I know that I could never swim through that
surf."

No time was to be lost, so Jack Rogers worked his way up to Captain
Hartland, and offered to swim on shore with the line. The captain
looked very much astonished, and replied that he thought the risk was
too great.

"Do let me try, sir," urged Jack. "I'm like a fish in the water, I am
indeed, sir; and if I don't reach the beach I can but be hauled back
again, you know. I've a notion that I could swim through all that foam.
I've done something like it before now."

"You are a brave fellow, Rogers," exclaimed Captain Hartland; "I will
not prevent you." Jack, delighted, began to throw off his clothes,
which he handed to Adair and Murray, to prepare for his swim.

"Mr Gale, tend the line carefully, and haul him in if he seems
distressed," said the captain to the first lieutenant. Jack had a belt
secured round his body, so that it could not slip off or cut him, and he
had the line made fast to it. Watching his opportunity as a wave rolled
in, he boldly sprang out on the top of it, and was borne onwards towards
the shore with little or no exertion to himself. He wisely reserved all
his strength for the last struggle at the end of the trip. Every one
watched him with intense interest. Not a word was spoken, but a hundred
hands were eagerly held out to him from the shore, to show him the
welcome he would receive on landing. Some of the strongest men among
the Greeks joined hands and formed a line into the sea, that the outer
man might clutch the bold young swimmer if he could get within his
reach. Meantime a boat's oar and some line had been cast on shore.
Some of the Greeks, more thoughtful than the rest, had secured the oar
to the line, and stood ready to let it float out as Jack ap