to die, and that his execution was to be the merciful one of being bled
to death. So at the appointed time the culprit was bound and
blindfolded in the presence of the surgeons, who then proceeded to lance
his arm and allowed a tiny jet of warm water to trickle over the place
and down to the wrist.

It is said that, though the man had not lost a drop of blood, he began,
as soon as he had felt the lancet prick and the trickling of the warm
water, to grow faint, and after a time sank and sank, till he actually
died from imagination.

"And that's what we're doing," thought Vince, as he drew slowly a long,
deep breath, and then another and another.

The first was very catchy and strange, the second caused him acute
suffering, and the third was deep, strong, and life-inspiring.

"That's it," said Vince to himself--"it is imagination; for if the
seals, which are things that have to come up to the surface to breathe,
can live in here, why can't I?"

Vince again took a deep breath, and another, and another, and so great a
feeling of vigour ran through him that he laughed aloud, and Mike
started up.

"What is it?" he said.

"Listen," cried Vince; and he loudly drew breath, and expressed it as
loudly, then, "Do that," he cried.

"I--I can hardly get mine. This place is stifling."

"Try," said Vince. "That's right. Again! Better. Now take a long
pull. How are you now?"

"Oh, better--better," said Mike eagerly.

"Breathe again."

"Yes, yes; I am breathing better and better. Then the air is coming
now?"

"Yes," said Vince drily; "the air is coming fast, and the light can't be
very long. There--it's all right, Ladle; we shan't hurt now. But I
don't know how we're going to manage when the tide falls, for we shan't
dare to go out."

"No," said Mike, whose spirits sank again at these words, "we shan't
dare to go out. Do you know, I wish, as you did, that we had stopped on
board."

"And not taken all this trouble for nothing. How long should you say it
would be before the light comes again?"

"Hours," said Mike; "but I don't mind it so much now that we can breathe
better."

"No; it is better," said Vince drily. "I say, I wonder what they are
doing at home?"

Vince wished the next moment that he had not said those words, for they
had the effect of sinking his companion into a terrible state of
depression, while, in spite of his efforts, he was himself nearly as
bad.

But then it was before breakf