Part 34 (2/2)

These words greeted Mark Vandean as, after a few struggles, his head shot up fro it a good shake, he struck out for the boat

The cold plunge had braced hi away the brain ht; and now once more he was himself, ready to save his own life, and think, as an officer should, about his ht to have been about saving his men, and self afterwards; but he followed the natural instinct, and strove to reach the boat

”Here I aet his breath; ”shove out an oar”

To in the an to paddle to turn the boat, but was checked directly by the painter, which he had made fast to the chains when they boarded the schooner

To have stopped to unfasten it would havehimself on his chest, he reached out as far as he could with the oar toward Mark, who had been borne down froed in at the board the boat

”Lay hold, sir!” cried Tom, excitedly

”Yah! Cowards! Look-out!” was yelled behind Toave it a thrust right away froed ater by a tre wave rose and lapped over into the boat, striking Mark just as his fingers touched the tip of the oar blade, and the next moht, sir!” cried Tom Fillot, loudly; ”swim steady We'll have you directly You, dick Bannock, cut that painter Now, then: oars!”

He dropped down into a seat, and pulled a big stroke to send the boat's head round

”Here, help me aboard, mate,” cried a voice

”Andon by the side which they had reached after being thrown from the schooner

”No, no, hold on, et Mr Vandean first

What was that 'ere?”

”Pig o' ballast they chucked over to stave the botto to row ”If I hadn't shoved her off, they'd ha' sunk us”

”We'll sink the, Mr Van, sir

We'll have you directly Easy, ain tohere Mark i himself drift, content to keep afloat

”Can you reach hirowled dick

”Not quite; pull your oar,” cried Toiven with a yell of triuht it fir lad over into the boat

”Thankye,” said Mark, panting ”I'ht Now then, help these two fellows in--Well done!”

He said this breathlessly as he stood up and gave himself a shake, and then as the two men who had held on went to their places, he resu?” he cried

”All here, sir, 'cept poor Joe Dance I ain't seen him”