Part 5 (2/2)
”See hiain, and Mark was silent for a few moments, as he scanned the surface round fron of him”
”Oh, don't say that, my lad Look, look Weto pick up the whole cargo this way Now then, wasn't that a splash yonder?”
”No, sir, I can't see anything,” said Mark sadly; and as he still eagerly scanned the surface a of the water against the bows of the boat, it again struck Mark with a chill of awe that they were being left alone there; and he asked himself ould happen if the _Nautilus_ could not find theain
This was momentary, for his attention was taken up by his search, and the officer said again, in angry impatience now,--”Come, Mr Vandean, where's this poor fellow? Here, lie to, , and sat with their oars balanced, looking out on either side for son of the h
”Yes,” said the lieutenant, as if that sigh were in words; ”it's a bad case, one, poor fellow”
”Someone struck him before he went overboard,” said Mark
”You saw that?”
”Yes, sir”
”Then he has gone We never saw hiin to row for the shi+p if we do not see hi way behind”
”I see him, sir,” cried the coxswain ”Here he is!”
He ht to reach was so far out, that he overbalanced hi!” roared the lieutenant ”Back water port, pull starboard That's it Now then, in oars there, and lay hold of him”
The men on the port side obeyed, and in their exciteling comrade, who had hold of a black arm with one hand, and sith the other
”Now then, lay hold quick,” roared the lieutenant
”Mind! Take care!” shouted Mark
The words were necessary, but useless, for as the men reached over and raised the coxswain and his burden, the gunwale of the boat sank too low, there was a rush of water, and in what seemed like one beat of time the creere all thrown out, and as they rose to the surface after an unexpected dive, it was to find the oars floating about, with straw hats here and there, and a couple of yards away the cutter lying bottoht of the glistening keel was to strike out and seize it, his next to look wildly round for help; and now he fully realised the fact that they were alone and in deadly peril, with the help that should have been at hand gliding rapidly away
”Hi! help! your hand!” cried a choking voice close by; and instinctively Mark stretched out the asked-for help, to feel one hand seized and the other glide fro over his head
CHAPTER FIVE
A FIGHT WITH A BOAT
Were you ever nearly drowned? Did you ever feel the sensation of the waves rushi+ng and roaring over you, as if full of triu down into their depths and devour?
It is to be hoped not, and that you never will be in such jeopardy as that in which Mark Vandean found hiht was suddenly shut out froht, and he went down into the black darkness, too rasp his position and make a calm, matter-of-fact atte a kick, which sent hiainst so hard