und those great balls and open
the breech, but only to be disappointed, finding as I did that the block
was fast. Oh, Poole, how I did tug and strain at it, feeling all the
while that I had been boasting and bragging to your father, and that
after all I was only a poor miserable impostor who had been professing
to know a great deal, when I was as ignorant as could be, and that I was
being deservedly punished in that terrible failure that was taking
place."

"Ah, I remember," cried Poole; "you said the block stuck fast?"

"Yes, till the idea came that I had not turned the great screw far
enough."

"But you ought to have made sure of that at first."

"Of course I ought," cried Fitz sharply, "and I ought to have been as
cool and calm as possible when doing such a venturesome thing--in the
pitch-darkness, with perhaps ten or a dozen of the Spanish sailors--the
watch--"

"The watch!" cried Poole, laughing. "Come, I like that."

"Well, then, men lying about all round us. You were perfectly cool of
course?"

"I!" replied Poole. "Why I was in a state of high fever. I didn't know
whether I was on my head or my heels. I believe, old fellow, that I was
half mad with excitement."

"I'm sure I was," cried Fitz, "till the thought came that perhaps I had
not turned the screw far enough. That thought made me quite jump. Then
there was the feeling the screw move. I felt as if I could see the
great thread all shining as it glided along, while I must have seen the
block when I lifted it out."

"But that was all fancy of course. It was the darkest, blackest night I
ever saw."

"I know, but I certainly seemed to see the block as I held it hugged to
my breast."

"I should have liked to see you when you were making for the side all
top-heavy, and went flying over after the great quoin as you called it.
My word, Fitz, that was a flying leap overboard."

"Ugh!" ejaculated the latter with a shudder. "As I go over the task
again, it seems as if it is all part of a queer dream."

"A very lively one though," said Poole, laughing. "I say, I wonder how
deep you went down."

"Oh, don't talk about it! Ever so far. It seemed a terribly long time
all going down and down, feeling all that time as if I should never come
up again, and thinking about sharks too. Why, it couldn't have been
half-a-minute from the time I touched the water till I was at the top
again swimming, and yet it seemed to be an hour at least."

"It do