er.

"Yes, you are, for it's our only chance, unless they see us from the
boat. You'll have to try, for the water will be up and over here before
long, and what will you do then?"

"Drown, I s'pose," said Bob.

"Nonsense!" cried Bigley, who astonished us by the eager business way he
had put on. "Who's going to stand still and drown, when he can swim to
a safe place? Here, let's try and get 'em to see us aboard the lugger,"
he cried. "All together! Let's wave our caps and handkerchiefs."

We did all wave our caps and handkerchiefs, together and separately, but
the boat went slowly on, as if there was no one in danger, and we turned
and looked at each other in despair.

"They must be asleep," said Bob angrily. "Oh, it's too bad."

"No," said Bigley sadly. "They can't be asleep, because there's someone
steering, and someone else attending to the sails when they go about.
It's only because they cannot see us. The rocks and cliffs hide us from
them."

"Why, we can see them," said Bob bitterly.

"Yes, because they are against the sky," I said. "We are against the
cliff. Oh, look at that!"

My schoolmates wanted no telling, for they were looking aghast at the
way in which the water had washed up, and lapped over the edge of the
rock upon which we stood. It fell directly, but it had risen high
enough to show that in a few minutes it would sweep right to where we
were, and in a few more completely cover the stone.

At this Bigley began to wave his jacket frantically, but the boat still
glided slowly on with its sail lit up by the sunshine, and the sea
glittering as far as we could see.

"It's of no use; we must swim," cried Bigley; but we neither of us
stirred, though he began resolutely to take off his big shoes. We saw
what he was doing, but our eyes were strained towards the boat, which
was much nearer now, making a long reach in towards the land, and it
seemed so strange that those on board should be calmly sitting there,
while we were in such peril, looking longingly for a sign that we were
seen.

And still the water slowly rose, threatening several times, and then
making a bold leap which carried it right over the stone, though it
barely wetted our feet.

As it came over, Bigley stooped down quickly and caught up his shoes and
clothes to keep them dry, and it seemed very ridiculous to me that he
should trouble himself about that, when in a few more minutes they must
be afloat.

Another wave a