, he plunged in, and bravely buffeting the sea which broke in
showers round us, was in a short time free of the surf. He was not
alone, however. Merlin, uttering a loud bark, plunged in directly
afterwards, and soon overtook him, swimming by his side, as if wishing
to afford him support or companionship. Away they went, we gradually
paying out the light buoyant rope, which floated in a way no ordinary
rope would have done.

"I am afraid," said Mr Sedgwick, "that its strength is scarcely
sufficient to enable those on board to pass over it to the shore."

"No, sir," I said; "but if we can haul in a stouter rope by means of it,
the same end will be accomplished."

In a short time we could no longer distinguish Roger and Merlin; but we
knew by the way the rope continued to be dragged out that they were
still making progress. Now, however, the rope seemed to stop. We knew
that it could not yet have reached the vessel. After a time we felt it
again drawn on. Again there was a time of great suspense. It made but
little progress. Still we felt that it was drawn out, and that was all
that could be said. How eagerly we looked towards the vessel, and
examined the whole of the intervening space! Presently we saw an object
floating on the water. Now it sank, now it appeared on the foaming
crest of a sea which came rushing towards the shore. "Help! help!"
exclaimed a voice. "Lend a hand!"

Passing a piece of the remaining rope round my waist, I begged my uncle
and Oliver to hold it, while Tanda paid out the cable, of which but a
small part now only remained. I rushed forward as the person was borne
onward towards the rock. Stretching out my hand, I caught him as the
next sea was about to sweep him up into the bay on one side, where he
would have been dashed on the sharp rocks which lined it. I threw
myself back, my uncle and Oliver hauling in the rope, when I found I had
Roger Trew by the hand.

"I could not do it!" he exclaimed; "but there is another who will
succeed, or I am much mistaken. Merlin saw how it would be, I have a
notion, from the first; and when I found I must give in or go to the
bottom, I just threw him the bight of the rope. He seized it in his
mouth, and swam on as well as if he was in smooth water, and I let the
sea bring me back again. If Merlin does not succeed, I will have
another try at it, though; but I think he will."

While he was speaking a jerk was given, apparently at the other