Part 7 (1/2)

”Why not? What is it?”

”I wanted to knohether they would ever find us again”

”Find us? Yes, of course,” cried the lieutenant ”They ht Never despair No fear of our being washed off, and we've nothing else to mind”

”Sharks?” said Mark, involuntarily

”Hush!+” whispered the lieutenant, fiercely And then with his lips to the lad's ear he said, ”Never utter a word likely to dae at a time like this Do your duty and hope for the best Trust in God for the help to come, my lad That's how a sailor should act”

”I'll try, Mr Russell,” whispered back Mark, with a curious choking feeling at his breast as he thought of hoht chance he had of ever seeing it again

”Of course you will try, black as it all looks Now then, we're a bit rested, and going to have another start”

But he gave no orders then, for with his wet hand shading his eyes, he tried toon between the _Nautilus_ and the schooner, the firing having now ceased

”I' on the same manoeuvre,” he said at last; ”and perhaps we shall have to wait for hted and baled out, but we shall be colder sitting in our wet clothes than we are now Ready, ive orders for thethe distant vessels, while alone in the great ocean the capsized boat softly heaved and fell on the long smooth rollers

”Yes,” said the lieutenant at last, ”he will be obliged to let her escape”

”Not take her?” cried Mark, rousing himself a little at this

”No, not take her He lasses will be at work in the ht the _Nautilus_ will come down to us with every stitch of canvas set”

”Hooray!” shouted the ave his orders, they set to with a will to drag the keel doard the, all was in their favour; but the boat was heavy, and seehts, they drew it more and more over, till it was so low that the lieutenant bade one et hold of the side

This was done again and again, but only for the weight to disturb the equilibriuht over with it, to be plunged in, head-first, on the other side

Sailors are light-hearted fellows, and even in tiet their troubles, and are ready to join in a grin

It was so here A roar of laughter saluted each ain and swah, as he resule, till at last the lieutenant was ready to give up in despair

”Let hter, and I think I could get hold of the side with the boathook as soon as I am on the keel”

”Hear that, my lads?” shouted Dance, ”and me to have handled a hitcher all these years, and never to have thought of it Boat's righted, messmates, now; only, by your leave, sir, if you'd let me try, I think I could do it easier than you”

”Try then,hold of the hook, the coxswain moved into the centre on one side as the crew seized the keel and dragged it dohile the ood foothold on the clinker-built boat, steadying hiht on the side of the keel, reached over and fixed his hook upon one of the rowlocks; then holding on firainst the keel, he hung right away, his body now for a simultaneous effort to draw the boat over, she came down ainst theing Dance into the water, fro back amidst a hearty burst of cheers

CHAPTER SIX

ALONE ON THE OCEAN

”All very fine for you, ot”

”Vandean, my lad,” whispered the lieutenant, ”that idea of yours saved us,” and he caught and pressed the lad's cold hand Then aloud: ”Now, et the oars in under the thwarts, so that they don't float out, and then you, Dance, and you, To”