captain hesitated. "I accept Langton's offer, but I would rather
that an older person than you are should go. Since I was wounded I have
been unable to make any violent exertion, and I am very sure that I
should be unable to accomplish half the distance."

"I would gladly have Hartley accompany me," said Langton. "I have often
seen him take a long swim, and come in as fresh as he was at starting.
Every instant increases our distance from the shore."

"If you both feel confident that you can swim as far, I will no longer
object," said the captain. "Before you go, however, take some of the
fruit; it will refresh you, although it will not add much to your
strength."

"Thank you, sir," exclaimed Owen, as if an especial favour had been
granted him.

He and Langton each ate a small portion of the fruit, both offering up
in the meantime an earnest prayer for protection.

"May Heaven preserve you, my lads," said the captain, as he shook their
hands.

Having taken off their outer clothes, retaining only their drawers,
socks, and shirts, they both together slipped into the water and struck
out for the shore, which could still be dimly seen. Their companions
cheered as they swam from the boat.

"We must not over-exert ourselves at first," said Langton, as Owen,
putting forth all his strength, was shooting past him. "We shall both
do it, please Heaven, but we must not be down-hearted although we appear
to make but little way."

Owen, taking the advice, kept pace with Langton, who maintained a slow,
steady stroke. They could hear the voices of their companions, who
every now and then raised a cheer to encourage them. For some time the
cheers sounded almost as distinct as those at first uttered.

"We can have got but a very short distance," remarked Owen.

"The sound travels further than you suppose," answered Langton. "We
have made good way already."

On they went, every now and then speaking a word of encouragement to
each other.

"I am thankful you came with me," said Langton; "it would have been far
more trying had I been alone."

On and on they went, still the dark outline of the shore appeared as far
off as ever. Now and then Langton proposed that they should turn on
their backs. They could not venture to make way for any length of time
in that position for fear of getting out of their proper course. Owen
had somewhat overrated his strength. He began to feel his arms and legs
ache, but he would no