said the middy, "but wear has only made it soft. If
it stands all that tugging with the weight of both of us on the end it
will bear one of us being dragged through the water, where one isn't so
heavy. Now, then, are we going to try this way?"

"Certainly," said Aleck.

"Very well; who's to go first?"

"I will," said Aleck.

"I don't know about that," replied the middy. "You're only a
shore-going fellow, while I'm a sailor. I think I ought to go first."

"It doesn't much matter who goes first, but I spoke first and I'll go."

"Look here," cried the middy; "if I give way and let you have first try,
will you play fair?"

"Of course. But what do you mean?"

"You won't brag and chuck it in my face afterwards that you got us out
of the hole?"

"Do you think I should be such a donkey?" cried Aleck. "Why, look here,
I'm going to try and chance it, but I don't believe I shall get through.
Never mind about who's to be first. Let's do all we can to make sure
of escaping. Now, then, shall we try now, or wait till the water's at
its lowest? It's going down now."

"If we wait till the tide's at its lowest it will be slack water, and we
shall get no help. It's running out now, and we can see the shape of
the arch."

"Yes, and how rugged and weed-hung it is. I say, I don't like the look
of it. You'd better go first."

"Very well," said the middy, promptly, and he began taking off his
jacket.

"Hold hard," cried Aleck, hurriedly stripping off his own. "Come
along."

He led the way to the edge of the water where, though not the nearest,
the best leap off seemed to present itself, and then stood perfectly
still, gazing down into the softly illuminated water, quivering and
wreathing as it ran softly out, and looking dim and blurred through
being kept so much in motion by the retiring waves.

"Then you still mean to go?" said the middy.

"Of course. But what shall I do--strip, or try in my clothes?"

"Strip, decidedly," cried the middy.

"I shall get scratched and scraped going under the rocks."

"You'll get caught by them and hung up if you keep your clothes on.
Have 'em all off, man; you'll slip through the water then like a seal."

"Yes," said Aleck, calmly, "I suppose it will be best."

It did not take him long to prepare, and as soon as he was ready his
companion made the rope fast just round beneath the arm-pits with a knot
that would neither slip nor tighten.

"There!" said the middy, as h