down the gunwale a little.
Besides which a little wave had now and then broken against one or the
other and sent gallons of water into the boat.

Still they had done something, and after a rest Josh cried again:

"Ready? Go ahead."

Once more the splashing began, the water flying out of the boat like
showers of liquid gold; and just when the hand-paddles were in full play
the boat began to move slightly, then a little more. Neither Josh nor
Will knew why, for they could not see that it sank a little lower for a
few minutes and then began to rise.

"Hooray!" cried Josh hoarsely. "Well done, young un; out with it.
Hooray! Oh, look at that!"

He had just awakened to the fact that Dick had come to himself
sufficiently to alter his position, and was lending his aid by scooping
out the water with both hands till a wave came with a slight wash and
half demolished all their work.

"Keep on," shouted Will; and once more the splashing went forward at a
tremendous rate.

A handful of water, or as much as it will throw, out of a full boat is
not much; but when three hands are busy ladling with all their might a
tremendous amount of water can be baled out, and so it was, that when
the balers rested again there were three inches of freeboard, as sailors
call it, and the next wave did not lessen it a quarter of an inch.

"Ready again?" cried Josh. "Go ahead, youngster."

The splashing went on once more; and now both Will and Josh could
support themselves easily by holding on to the gunwale, the boat
increasing in buoyancy every moment, while three hands scooped out the
water with long and vigorous well-laden throws.

It became easier for Dick too now, for he found that he could sit
astride one of the thwarts, holding on in position by twisting his legs
beneath; and this gave him power to use both hands, which he joined
together and scooped out the water in pints that became quarts, gallons,
and bucketsfull.

"Hooray!" cried Josh with a cheer, and there was a few minutes' rest.
"A mussy me! it's child's play now. Look here; s'pose you roll out now
and take my place. No: go out on Will's side and hold on by him while I
get in."

Dick shivered at the idea. It seemed so horrible to give up his safe
position and trust to the sea once more. But he did not hesitate long.

Taking tight hold of the bulwark, he literally rolled over the side and
let himself down into the sea, with the phosphorescence making his body,
l