his here's lashed so as he can't get it out, and it keeps
him from sinking, as he moves it afore him."

"But it's horribly cruel," said Syd, pausing in his wringing process.

"Well, 'tarn't nice for him, sir," said the boatswain; "but then you see
it's cruel of Master Jack to be taking off arms and legs, and it stops
that, sir."

This argument was unanswerable for the moment, and just then another
shark was sighted, and its appearance fascinated Syd, who shuddered as
he gazed at the monster, and thought of the horrible fate he had
escaped.

"I wonder what father will say to me when he learns of my adventure," he
said to himself.

But he had very little more time for thought, the boat soon being
alongside; the falls were hooked on, and they were soon after swinging
from the davits.

The first person Syd's eyes rested upon was Terry, whose face expanded
into a grin as he saw the middy's drenched condition, and the boy turned
away angrily, to see if he could catch his father's eye. But he only
saw Lieutenant Dallas making his report on the quarter-deck, and his
father standing there with a glass in his hand, which he directed at the
rock, then seemed to give some orders, and the lieutenant saluted and
came away.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

"Why, Belton, not changing your duds?" said the lieutenant, as he
returned from his colloquy with his commanding officer.

"No, sir; just going to. Did my--did the captain know I was nearly
seized by that shark?"

"Yes; I told him."

"What did he say, sir?"

"That you were to be more careful."

Syd stared.

"Was that all, sir?"

"Yes, my lad. I think he said something about you'd grow more clever by
and by. But go and get on some dry things."

Syd felt crestfallen and hurt, that after such a terrific adventure his
father should be so cool.

But down below the news had already spread, and as he went to the berth
to change his things, a knot of his messmates were ready and eager to
question him for the endorsement of what they had heard from the
boatswain and the men.

He told what he had to tell rather unwillingly, and when he had done
regretted that he had said a word, for the careless young dogs only
laughed.

"That wasn't half an adventure," cried Bolton. "You should have drawn
your dirk, dived under him, and slit him up. That's what the niggers
do."

"Yes," said Jenkins, "or else have had hold of his tail, and made him
tow you. I would."

"Why, J