t tell Langton of his sensations. At last he was
compelled to propose that they should float for a short time. Langton
guessed the cause, and willingly agreed.

In a minute Owen felt rested, and once more they proceeded. He was
again about to propose taking another rest, and was turning on his back,
when he saw rising above the water, a few feet from him, a triangular
fin. Though certain that it was that of a huge shark, he resolved not
to tell his companion. Dreadful were his feelings. At any moment the
monster might discover them. As yet it had not apparently done so. The
dark fin glided on, but another and another came into sight. There
might be many more astern. Not one, however, deviated from its course,
and the creatures at length disappeared. Not until then did Owen utter
an exclamation.

"What was it?" asked Langton.

Owen confessed that he had seen the sharks.

"A good sign," said Langton, "it shows that they are not given to attack
human beings in these waters. Don't let us trouble our heads about
them."

This Owen found it was not so easy to do. It appeared to him that they
had been hours in the water. The courage of the two swimmers was
greatly tried, for still the land seemed as far off as ever.

More than once Owen felt that he could go no further. He prayed that
strength might be given him, and again struck out bravely. The sight of
the sharks made him unwilling to rest even for a moment, for he knew as
long as he kept his arms and legs moving there was less danger of being
seized. At last a feeling came over him that he must give in.

"Push on ahead, Langton," he said, in a faint voice, "I will follow
slowly; but I only detain you now."

"No, no, Hartley," answered Langton. "I will not desert you; cheer up,
cheer up."

Just at that moment Langton felt his feet strike the ground. For an
instant he feared that it was a shark, or some other monster fish, but,
again putting down his foot he felt the hard, soft sand.

"Thank Heaven, Owen, it's all right, here's the bottom!" he exclaimed.

Both swimming on a few strokes more, Owen found that his feet also could
touch the sand, and that he could stand up with his head out of water.

They waded on; the depth decreased but slowly, but still it did
decrease. Langton's shoulders rose above the surface, he could now
assist Owen. Exerting all their strength they made rapid way, and in a
few minutes more found themselves standing on