ing and gurgling noises, which sounded from the boat.

One brief examination showed him that the boat was certainly very much
deeper in the water than she had been.

Five seconds later her bows had sunk farther.

Two seconds more, and Tom's feet were surrounded by water up to his
ankles.

The boat was filling!

Scarce had he made this discovery than the water rose swiftly up, the
boat sank quickly down, the sea rolled over her sides, and the boat
went to the bottom.

Very fortunate was it for Tom, at that moment, that he had not pushed
out farther from the shore. When the boat went down he was not more
than three or four yards off, and he did not sink lower than up to his
neck. But the shock was a sudden one, and for a moment almost
paralyzed him. The next instant, however, he recovered from it; and
looking round, he saw the box of biscuit floating within his reach.
Making a wild dash at this, he secured it, and waded ashore with it in
safety. He then turned mournfully to look after the boat, and found
that it was visible, floating on the surface. As he left it, it had
floated up, his weight being the only thing that had sent it below.
The tide was still coming in, so that it did not float away. Tom flung
off his coat and waistcoat, and hurrying into the water, soon caught
and dragged it as near as he could to the beach. Then he secured it
once more, and waited. Standing there, he looked gloomily at the
vessel, wherein such precious hopes had been freighted only to be lost.
What had happened? Why could not the boat float? What was the matter
with her? These were the wondering questions which occurred to him
without his being able to give any answer.

One thing he saw plainly, and that was, that he had lost this tide. The
next high tide would be after midnight, and the next would be between
one and two on the following day. If he could find out what was the
matter with the boat, and fix it, he would have to wait till the next
day, unless he chose to watch for his chance after midnight, and make
the journey then.

He was not a boy who could be long inactive; so now, after a brief
period, in which he gave up to the natural despondency of his soul, he
stirred himself up once more, and sought comfort in occupation. The box
of biscuit did not seem much injured, it had not floated long enough
for the sea-water to penetrate it. Assuring himself of this, he next
turned to the boat and took out its contents