nd another came over us, and though I kept on waving my
handkerchief at times, there seemed to be no hope of help from the
lugger. So in a fit of despair, after a glance towards the shore, I
began to follow Bigley's example and undress, feeling that it was forced
upon me, and that I must make an effort and swim for my life.

Bob Chowne stood with his forehead all wrinkled up watching me for a few
minutes, and then he began to undress slowly; but a wave came and rose
right up to our knees as it swept in, telling us plainly enough that
before many minutes had passed we should be unable to stand there, and
in frantic haste we tore off our garments, and followed Bigley's lead in
tying them together in a bundle, in the faint hope of being able to take
them in our teeth and carry them ashore.

We were ready none too soon, for the tide rose rapidly, and it was
evident that the time had come for our plunge.

"I'll go first, boys, and you follow," cried Bigley. "Now, don't hurry,
and try and keep together. I won't swim fast. Ready?"

There was no answer.

"Are you ready, I say? I want to give the word, and for us all to take
the water together."

Still neither of us answered; and we stood there, bundles in hand,
unwilling to quit the firm rock on which we stood knee-deep, for the
treacherous sea.

"I say, boys! Are you ready!" cried Bigley again.

Still there was no answer, and the reluctance to stir would have
continued longer, but an unexpected termination was put to our
indecision by a larger wave sweeping over us, and making Bob Chowne slip
and stagger.

He tried hard to recover himself, and we to catch him, but the wet rock
was bad for the feet, or he placed his foot upon a piece of sea-weed.
At all events over he went with a splash and disappeared.

We two followed, bundles and all, and as Bob rose we were one on each
side, and started swimming level with the shore so as to round the point
between us and the western side of the Gap.

Driven to it as we were, Bob Chowne and I forgot our dread and began to
swim steadily and well; but we had not been in the water five minutes
before I found that we had undertaken to do that which was impossible,
and that we had quite forgotten all about this being a dangerous spot
for bathing.

I think we all discovered it about the same moment, but Bigley was the
first to speak.

"Be cool, boys, as the doctor says," he called out to us. "This is no
use. We're not goi