when the ruffians--who
seemed resolved on his destruction, believing that then they could have
everything their own way--made a desperate rush at him. He cut down one
of them, and would have treated the others in the same way, when his
foot slipped, and he fell into an opening between the spars. They
immediately, before he could regain his feet, threw themselves upon him,
and plunged their knives into his body.

"It is useless further to contend with the villains. Now is our time!"
cried Boxall; and driving back the fellows who were attacking us, we
made our way to the side of the raft.

"Now, Halliday, leap!" shouted Boxall, while he kept those who were
attempting to stop us at bay. Halliday plunged into the water, letting
go his axe as he did so, and struck out towards Ben's raft.

"Keep hold of your sword, Charlie," said Boxall; "I will defend you from
these fellows." I did as he advised me; and putting the sword in my
mouth, where I held it fast between my teeth, I leaped into the water,
and struck out with all my might towards the small raft. With a sweep
of his weapon my brave friend drove back the ruffians, who had now
turned their fury on him, and were pressing him hard; then springing
overboard, he followed close at my heels. Happily, none of the savages
could swim,--or, at all events, they dared not trust themselves in the
water, fearing that if they did so Boxall might have attacked them with
his sword; though some, in their rage, threw large pieces of wood and
other articles, which came very near us; and one of the most furious
flung his knife, which happily passed between Boxall's legs. Shrieks,
cries, and shouts for us to come back, were uttered by our enemies, with
threats of vengeance; but these, of course, only made us strike out the
faster.

Ben and his companion, in spite of the warning we had given them, had
hoisted their sail, and urging on the raft at the same time with a
couple of oars, were approaching us rapidly.

"Shorten sail!" cried Boxall; "don't come nearer; we can easily reach
you."

Ben obeyed; and we had the satisfaction of seeing Halliday--who, having
no weapon in his mouth, had kept well ahead of us--helped on to the
raft. Just then Ben cast a look of dismay towards us. "Strike with all
your might, and splash with your feet! Make haste! make haste!" he
shouted frantically. At the same time seizing a lump of wood, he flung
it into the water on one side of us; while h