off like on the boat, and we may get her yet."

It seemed possible, for its rate was checked, but the slow deliberate
glide still went on a little, flattening the curve formed by the two
lines extending from the deck of the boat to the top of the rocks, fifty
feet above the sea.

"One moment, Mr Roylance, sir," said the man, as coolly as if he were
in the rigging of the ship, and not suspended by a thin rope over the
jaws of a monstrous shark. "I want to get my legs round facing that
cliff there. That's your sort. Now if your line gives way, as I'm
feared it will--one minute: yes, the knot's fast; that won't draw--I
say, if the rope gives way we shall go down again the rocks with a
spang, but don't you mind; it'll only be a swing, and I'll fend us off
with my feet. My! we're getting tight now. Look out, sir, we're
going."

But the rope did not break, for seeing how dangerous the strain was
becoming, Syd ordered the men behind him to ease off a little, and then
a little more and a little more, till the progress of the water-logged
vessel was gradually checked, and as they felt that the worst of the
strain was over, the men on the cliff gave a cheer.

"Steady there, steady!" cried Terry, angrily, and the men murmured.

"Silence there!" cried Syd. "Now, my lads, I think you may begin to
haul."

The men obeyed, and by the exercise of a great deal of caution the first
rope was drawn slowly hand over hand up the cliff till Roylance's head
appeared. Syd extended his hands to his help, and the midshipman
climbed over the edge and sat down in the hot sunshine in his drenched
clothes, looking white and haggard, as one looks after a terrible escape
from death.

The next minute the sailor was on the cliff, looking none the worse for
his adventure, but pretty well drenched by contact with Roylance's
dripping clothes.

Then a little more hauling took place, till the men could get a good
hold of the line Roylance had brought ashore, in the midst of which the
latter suddenly sprang up, looked over the edge of the cliff, and
catching sight of his enemy, he picked up the biggest piece of stone he
could lift and hurled it down. It fell with a mighty splash in the
water, and as chance had it, for little could be said for the aim, right
down upon the shark, which turned up directly after, and then recovered
itself and swam laboriously away.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

"You made me feel horribly bad, Roy," whispered Syd