he
succeeded, however, at last in hauling his shipmate's shoulders over the
bows. He then returned to the stern, when Ben, by great exertion,
managed to drag himself in. This done, Stone endeavoured as fast as he
could to get up to Ned. As Stone paddled, he sung out, "I'm afraid it's
of no use trying to keep that Arab fellow above water; you must let him
go, for the canoe won't hold us all."

"Not while I have life and strength to help him," answered Ned. "Do not
be afraid," he added, turning to the Arab, who understood what Stone had
said. "The canoe may support us even though she is brought down to the
gunwale; and if she can't, I'll keep outside and hold on until Mr
Rhymer's boat comes back, or the corvette sends to look for us."

"But the shark!" cried Stone; "the brute may be grabbing you if you
remain quiet even for a minute."

"I don't intend to remain quiet," said Ned. "Here, lift the Arab in.
I'll help you--it can be done." There certainly was a great risk of the
canoe upsetting in doing as Ned proposed. Cox, however, leaned over on
the opposite side, and they at length succeeded in getting the Arab on
board. The gunwale of the canoe was scarcely a couple of inches above
the water; a slight ripple would have filled her, but the sea was so
smooth that there was no fear of that happening. Ned, directing the men
how to place themselves, was at last drawn safely on board. His
additional weight brought the canoe almost flush with the water. They
were, however, certainly better off in her than in the water; but at any
moment, with the slightest increase of wind, she might fill and sink
beneath them, and they would again be left to struggle for their lives.
Ned was afraid of moving, and urged his companions to remain perfectly
still.

"Look out, Stone; what is the dhow about? Mr Rhymer will surely soon
be sending the boat to our relief--he must have seen our craft go down."

"Not so sure of that; he'll not trouble himself about us," muttered
Stone. "If you were there, you'd do it; all officers are not alike."

Ned was afraid that the seaman might be right, but he did not express an
opinion on the subject. Their position was, indeed, a trying one. The
sun struck down with intense heat on their heads, while they had not a
particle of food to satisfy their hunger, nor a drop of fresh water to
quench their burning thirst. The breeze had sprung up, and every now
and then a ripple broke over the gunwa