the same, till he
was nearly exhausted. The fin disappeared; perhaps the brute had been
frightened away; he hoped so, but it did not make him relax in his
efforts. It is our best chance to keep the monster off, he thought; he
could scarcely have struck out five minutes longer, when the boat got
up.

"Take him on board first," he cried, pushing forward Charlie.

"We will have both of you together," said Kemp. Scarcely was he in the
boat when a white glistening object appeared, and its huge mouth gaped
wide, half leaping out of the water. It got many a blow from the
seamen's oars; this had, however, no other effect than making it plunge
down and make the water with its tail fly over them.

"Now, lads, pull back as fast as you can," cried old Kemp. "We must put
the boys under the doctor's care as soon as possible. You are a brave
fellow, Roger; I always thought so, now I know it; and the Captain will
say so too. I only wish that I were in your place."

The Scotch doctor, Macpherson, who knew that his services would be
required, was standing ready to order the lads to be carried to the sick
bay.

"I do not think there is much the matter with me," said Roger; but his
trembling knees and pale face showed that he required care, while
Charlie had scarcely yet recovered from the blow he had experienced on
falling into the water. The gale seemed to have hung, back till Charlie
and his gallant preserver were safe on board,--the ship was under snug
canvas, and rode it out well. Roger was a whole day getting round.
When he appeared on deck he was warmly praised by the Captain, and he
received the compliments of the other officers, even the gentlemen
lieutenants.

"Faith," said the honourable Lieutenant Delamere, "it is more than I
could have done if I had expected to be made Lord High Admiral forthwith
for doing it."

"It seemed to me," said Roger, "that it was just the thing to be done,
and so I did it."

"You tarpaulins are accustomed to the water; it is an advantage you have
over us," remarked the lieutenant.

The _Ruby_ remained hove-to under storm canvas for five days, when, the
weather moderating, she once more made sail and stood on her course.
She had been running on for several days, the wind had fallen to a light
breeze, and the sea was smooth; it was soon after down. Charlie Ross,
who was one of the midshipmen of the watch, was stationed on the
topgallant forecastle. He had been looking out for some