g
helplessly, when his arms should fall down to his sides, and he could do
no more.

The result was that he baled with less effect, and instead of keeping
the water under, it began to master him; and he found at last, that, in
spite of all his efforts, his knife-mark was covered, and the water kept
inches above, and still increased.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

HOW MAX FETCHED HELP.

Max Blande's confidence was on the ebb. Fortunately for him, the tide
was on the ebb as well, and, though he was not aware of the fact,
helping him on his journey.

As the confidence failed, despair's black cloud grew heavy. The idea
that the leak was growing bigger became stronger, and with it was the
feeling that before long the water would come in with a rush, and down
he would go.

It was very horrible; and, as he asked himself what he must do, he
clutched at the first idea suggesting escape which came, and that was,
that, much as he regretted being unable to get help for his two
companions in misfortune, he must save his own life, and the only way to
do that was by running the boat ashore. Which side of the loch should
he take--west or east?

Dunroe was on the east side, but the west coast was nearer, and he
steered for that; but, feeling that this was cowardly, since he might
get ashore and manage to walk to Dunroe, he altered his course, after a
struggle with self, and sat with beating heart, slowly sailing on, with
the water rising and washing about his legs.

That last tack seemed as if it would never end, and it was only by
leaning sideways from time to time that he could catch sight of the
coast he was approaching, the sail shutting off the greater part of his
view.

To his dismay, he could see nothing but rocks, rocks everywhere, grey,
and black, and ruddy golden with the weeds. The sea, too, foamed and
danced about them. No cove floored with silver sand, no smooth river
into which he could glide; and he shivered as he felt, by anticipation,
the crash of the boat running on to the rocks at speed, throwing him
out, and the retiring waves bearing him away, and then?

It was too horrible. But there were the rocks; he was getting nearer
and nearer. He could hear the splashing of the water, and he must be
ready to make a bold leap on to the nearest before the waves could catch
him, and then he might escape.

Nearer and nearer; and it seemed a desperate thing to do--to run that
boat ashore, but it was his only chance