he had stood disappeared from under him, and was swept away by the
returning current.

Jack required the utmost of his strength to maintain his position until
another wave floated him, and dashed him higher up: but he knew his life
depended on holding on to the yard, which he did, although under water,
and advanced several feet. When the wave receded, he found footing on
the rock, and still clinging, he walked till he had gained the fore-part
of the boat, which was wedged firmly into a narrow part of the cleft.
The next wave was not very large, and he had gained so much that it did
not throw him off his legs. He reached the rock, and as he climbed up
the side of the chasm to gain the ledge above, he perceived Gascoigne
standing above him, and holding out his hand to his assistance.

"Well," says Jack, shaking himself to get rid of the water, "here we
are, ashore at last--I had no idea of anything like this. The rush back
of the water was so strong that it has almost torn my arms out of their
sockets. How very lucky I sent you forward with your disabled shoulder.
By-the-bye, now that it's all over, and you must see that I was right,
I beg to apologise for my rudeness."

"There needs no apology for saving my life, Easy," replied Gascoigne,
trembling with the cold; "and no one but you would ever have thought of
making one at such a moment."

"I wonder whether the ammunition's dry," said Jack; "I put it all in my
hat."

Jack took off his hat, and found the cartridges had not suffered.

"Now then, Gascoigne, what shall we do?"

"I hardly know," replied Gascoigne.

"Suppose, then, we sit down and argue the point."

"No, I thank you, there will be too much cold water thrown upon our
arguments--I'm half dead; let us walk on."

"With all my heart," said Jack, "it's devilish steep, but I can argue up
hill or down hill, wet or dry--I'm used to it--for, as I told you
before, Ned, my father is a philosopher, and so am I."

"By the Lord! _you are_," replied Gascoigne, as he walked on.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

IN WHICH OUR HERO FOLLOWS HIS DESTINY AND FORMS A TABLEAU.

Our hero and his comrade climbed the precipice, and, after some minutes'
severe toil, arrived at the summit, when they sat down to recover
themselves. The sky was clear, although the gale blew strong. They had
an extensive view of the coast, lashed by the angry waves.

"It's my opinion, Ned," said Jack, as he surveyed the expanse of
troubled wat