d towed on and on till Syd began to give his orders,
looking hard at Strake the while, as if to ask if he was doing right.

"You, Rogers, have a line ready and jump aboard as she comes close in by
the pier. Make it fast round the stump of the bowsprit."

"Nay, nay, sir," growled Strake; "take a turn or two round the foremas',
my lad, run the rope out through the hawse-hole, and then chuck it
ashore here."

"Ay, ay, sir," shouted Rogers, picking up one of the rings of rope they
had ready, and throwing it over his shoulder, as he stood barefooted on
the rock.

"Don't jump till you are quite sure, Rogers," cried Syd, "and 'ware
sharks."

The men laughed, the little vessel came nearer and nearer, and the
excitement increased; when all at once, just as she was within a dozen
feet of the rocks where the officers stood and the men were hauling
steadily away, there was a yell of disappointment; the marlin-spike came
away, bringing with it some tow and tarry rope, and the prize stopped,
yielded to the pressure of the current, and began to glide away again.

"Never mind, sir, I'll make another cast," cried Strake, gathering in
the line; but before he had got in many feet there was a splash, a quick
scattering of the water, and after rapidly making a few strokes,
Roylance was seen to climb over the side of the little vessel, which was
nearly flush with the water.

As he did so there was a shriek of horror, for a couple of sharks,
excited by the sight of prey standing so near the edge of the waves that
ran over the natural pier, made a swoop down upon the young officer, who
in his hurry and excitement let loose the ring of rope he had snatched
from Rogers, and it was seen to descend through the clear water.

"Why, he has no rope! He'll be carried away with the boat. Jump back
now; never mind the sharks."

"Stay where you are," cried Syd, as loudly as he could call out above
the hurry and excitement. "Now, Strake, quick!"

The boatswain was being quick, but it was hard work to get the line free
from the tangle that it had dragged ashore. There was no other line
handy, and it began to seem as if the brave young fellow, who was a
favourite with all but Terry, would be carried off to sea to a horrible
lingering death, for all knew that it was impossible for him to swim
ashore.

"Who told him to go on board?" said Terry, coolly.

"No one," replied Syd, who was now as excited as his companion was calm.
"It was his own