o speak to the men by the gun, and then
went on up the gap.

"One don't feel as if he was to be trusted," said Syd to himself,
wearily. "He is too easy and obedient, and I'm afraid he hates me. I
wish he was in command instead. It would be much easier for me, and I
feel such a boy."

A shout behind him made him start and look round, to see that Rogers,
who had been seated on the edge of a piece of stone waiting patiently,
had now started up, and was playing at tug with a fish he had hooked--
one which was splashing about on the top of the water as the man began
to haul in his long line.

All at once, as the silvery sides of the fish were seen flopping about,
the water parted and a long, lithe, snaky-looking creature flashed out
like lightning, seized the hooked fish, and flung itself round it in a
complete knot, making Rogers cease hauling, and watch what was going on
in dismay.

"Haul, my man, haul! You'll get them both," cried Syd, excitedly; and
two other men who were looking on ran to help.

But as they drew hard on the line, there was abundant floundering, the
water flew up in a shower of silver, and then the line came in easily,
for the captive was gone.

"Look at that now," said Rogers, good-temperedly. "They're beginning to
bite, though, and no mistake."

He rebaited his hook, and threw out as far as he could, beginning to
tighten the line directly after, and then hauling in rapidly, for the
bait was taken at once, and though some longish creature made a savage
dash at it, the sailor was successful in getting a good-sized
mullet-like fish safe on the rock.

"Got him that time, sir," he said, merrily, as he rebaited and threw in
again.

Syd was delighted at the man's success, and stood watching eagerly for
the next bite.

"I don't know what it is," said Roylance, who was examining the capture,
"but it must weigh four pounds, and it looks good to eat."

"Here you are again, sir," cried Rogers, hauling away, with another fish
at the end of his line. "You've brought me good luck, sir. Hah! Look
at that!"

For there was another splash and a sudden check, followed by a battle
between the sailor and some great thing which had seized his captive.

"'Tarn't one o' them snaky-looking chaps this time, sir. Hooray! he's
gone.--Well, now, I do call that mean."

For he hauled in about a third of the fish he had hooked, the other
two-thirds having been bitten off.

"Cut a piece off the silvery par