mething himself. This, as he was very hungry,
he was nothing loth to do; but he had not eaten much, and had only taken
one pull at the grog can when he recollected his friends. He felt that
he could eat nothing more until he had ascertained their fate.

"If they are alive, they'll want to eat," he said to himself. "They
can't be gone--no, no; I won't believe it."

So he filled his pockets with as many sausages and as much biscuit as
they could carry, and, shaking the Frenchman by the hand to show that he
would not be forgotten, he ascended the ladder, closed the fore-hatch
behind him, and began his perilous journey towards the stern. The sea
on one side, he discovered, had made so complete a wreck, that he knew,
should he slip, there would be nothing to prevent his going overboard.

The greatest caution therefore was necessary. He could feel the
ringbolts, but he could not see them, or indeed any object by which to
secure himself. On hands and knees he crept on, feeling his way. He
had got as far as the main hatchway when he saw another sea rising. He
clung, as before, to a ringbolt. Over came the water with a furious
rush, which would have carried any one unprepared for it away. He felt
his arm strained to the utmost; still he had no notion of letting go.
When the sea had passed over, the vessel was steadier for an instant
than she had been. He took the opportunity to make a bold rush to the
nearest part of the bulwarks remaining entire. He now got aft with less
difficulty. His heart felt lighter when he saw the group he expected
standing there; but Paul didn't come forward to welcome him. Instead,
he heard Marline's voice say, "Rouse up, Pringle; rouse up, mate--the
boy is safe."

True Blue was in an instant kneeling down by the side of his guardian.
"I am here, Paul, I am here; Billy True Blue all right, godfather!" he
exclaimed, putting his mouth to Paul's ear.

"What has happened? Is he hurt?" he asked.

"He has hurt his side and ribs, and we are afraid he has broken his
leg," answered Marline. "We all thought that you were gone--washed
clean away, boy; but he wouldn't believe it, and started off to look for
you, when a sea took him and washed him back in the state you now see
him. He was nearly carried overboard, and we have had hard work to save
him."

True Blue forgot everything else but the state of his friend, till at
length Paul came to himself and comprehended what had occurred. The