d that the wind and spray seemed to have combined to tear him from
where his feeble efforts were aided by a strong man's arm.

Once or twice he fancied he heard a shout, but he could not be sure, and
he could make no effort to understand his position, for the storm that
had stricken the boat so suddenly robbed him more and more of the power
to move.

It was like another waking from sleep, to feel that his head was being
raised a little more from where it drooped, and someone pressed a pair
of lips to his ear and spoke.

He could not answer, he could not even move, for though the voice was
familiar, its import did not reach his brain, and he lay perfectly inert
till it seemed as if the sea and wind were not beating so hard upon his
face, and that he could breathe more easily.

Then it was not so dark, for the stars were coming out, and he found
himself gazing at a great black veil that was being drawn over the
heavens.

The next thing he heard was a voice, a familiar voice, speaking, and
another which he recognised, and which came from close by, answered, but
what was said he could not tell.

There was another confused half-dreamy time, and then it was
comparatively light. The spray had ceased to beat, and the mass of wood
upon which he had been dragged was rising and falling in a regular
drowsy rocking fashion, while now he felt bitterly cold.

"I cannot get to you, Yussuf," said the familiar voice again. "If I
attempt to move he will slip off into the water. Safe?"

"He is alive!" came in a low deep voice from close by Lawrence's ear,
and then there was a fierce puff of wind again, and with it the dreamy
sensation once more.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

CAST ASHORE.

When Lawrence came to himself again there was more vigour in his brain,
and he was conscious that he was on the side of the boat held fast by
Yussuf. The wind was blowing fiercely, and had seized hold of a portion
of a half-submerged sail which had filled out into a half sphere, and
they were going swiftly through the water.

The stars were shining brightly; there was no more spray, and as he
recovered himself he could see, right at the far end of the boat, the
dimly defined head and shoulders of the professor, whom he knew by his
great beard, and he seemed to be supporting Mr Burne.

Between them, seated high and clear of the water, were the Greek skipper
and a couple of his men, holding on tightly in a bent position.

There was deep silenc