n attempt to lift Paul on board
the packet. Had her crew known his condition, they probably would have
been ready to render assistance; as it was, his two friends, fearful of
letting him slip between the two vessels, lost the moment as the brig
glided by, and all three were left on the sinking wreck.

"Why have you done this?" said Paul when he saw that the packet had shot
ahead. "You should have left me, boys."

"Left you, Paul!" exclaimed True Blue with an emotion he rarely
exhibited. "How can you say that? Please Heaven, we'll save you yet."

There was no necessity for hailing the packet. They knew well that the
two midshipmen would make every effort in their power to render them
assistance. Once more the brig tacked and stood towards them; but the
position of the wreck had changed, and it was impossible to run
alongside.

Again and again the gallant Captain of the packet tried the manoeuvre
without success. At last, passing close to them, he shouted, "Lads, I
will heave you ropes; you must make yourselves fast to them and jump
overboard: it's your only chance."

"Tom, you must do it!" said True Blue, turning to Marline. "It would
kill Paul; I'll stay by him. We shall be taken off when the weather
moderates; and if not, I'm ready to go down with him."

Paul heard this. "True Blue, I'm your guardian, and you must obey me!"
he said almost sternly. "The ducking won't hurt me more than others.
Maybe it may do me good. So, I say, make the rope fast round me, and
help me overboard when you two go, and I shall not be the worse for it."

Thus commanded, True Blue could no longer refuse obedience. Down came
the packet towards them. The ropes were hove on board.

"Tom, you can't swim--go by yourself. I'll stay by Paul!" exclaimed
True Blue as he was securing the rope. "Help me to launch him first.
Away, now!"

Paul was lowered into the water, True Blue keeping tight hold of the
rope just at his waist with his left hand, while he struck out with his
right. Thus the two together were drawn through the foaming sea towards
the packet. Arrived at the vessel's side, True Blue was of the greatest
service to Paul in protecting him from the blows he would otherwise have
received by the sea driving him against it.

Right hearty was the welcome they received from all hands, especially
from the gallant commander, Captain Jones.

Scarcely had the packet got a hundred fathoms from the brig when she was
seen to