them had held fast to
Jack's clothes. What was their surprise not ten minutes afterwards to
see Jack himself make his appearance on board.

"Why, Rogers!--why have you come back, my dear lad?" exclaimed Captain
Hartland.

"To look after my clothes, sir," answered Jack; "and besides, sir, I
didn't like to be going on shore out of my turn; none of the officers
have gone yet." The captain must have been puzzled what reply to make
to this reason, for he said nothing. Night was now coming on; still
many people remained on board.

"Come, bear a hand, my hearties; let us be getting on shore out of
this," cried some of those left on board to their shipmates. All who
had gone before had been landed safely, but it was necessary to be very
careful during the transit in keeping a tight hold of the slings,
especially in passing through the surf. One man, a fine young topman,
grasped hold of the traveller, and with a wave of his hat gave the sign
to haul away. He went on well for a few seconds, apparently thinking it
a good joke, till a roller overtook him. In an instant the poor fellow
was torn from his hold, and the raging waters rushing down again carried
him far away beyond human help.

"Now, Murray, it is your turn," said Mr Gale; "we will see by and by
how we can get Adair on shore."

"No, sir, thank you," said Murray calmly; "I would rather stay by Adair.
If he cannot be landed now, he will require some one to look after
him."

"Go, Alick, go," said Adair faintly. "Don't mind me."

"Come, Rogers, you must be off then," exclaimed the first lieutenant, in
a hurried tone. "See, the men are waiting to haul you on shore."

"Please, sir, Paddy Adair is an old schoolfellow of mine, and now he is
a messmate; and while he is in that state and unable to help himself I
cannot desert him, indeed I cannot, sir," said Jack very quietly. "I'm
very hardy; the cold and wet won't hurt me. I'd much rather Murray
went."

"No; I agreed to stay first," said Murray; "I cannot go."

"Then we'll both stay," said Jack. "That's settled, sir, isn't it?"

Mr Gale had not seen exactly how the seaman had been lost; and
believing that there was nearly as much risk in making the passage in
the dark as in staying, agreed to allow the youngsters to do as they
wished, resolving at the same time to remain by them himself. The
captain had gone forward; and before he was aware of it, believing that
everybody had left the ship, he was hurr