that seemed a century long. He waved
his arms wildly in the air and then clutched frantically for some rope
or brace to save himself. He seemed to grab hold of plenty of ropes but
to hang on to none. Moreover, a rope was the cause of his fall, for one
swung violently around and catching the unfortunate boy around the
ankles tripped him up and pulled him from the precarious spot on which
he stood.

He toppled backward and fell. His three companions with one accord
uttered a groan of horror and shut their eyes to keep out the awful
sight of what was about to happen. To think that their wonderful trip
was to be spoiled at the very start in this way! They turned their backs
to the scene, afraid to look. Every boy expected to hear a thud on the
deck and see the mangled body of their companion at their feet.

To them it seemed as if they waited hours and yet they did not hear the
expected sound. Instead of that they heard a shout.

"Hold him!" some one cried, and opening their eyes and daring to look
about them, the three boys on the deck saw something that was as
unexpected as it was welcome.

Fred hung head downward from the yard, a rope twisted tightly around his
feet. The same rope that had thrown him from his position was now
holding him suspended in the air. But how securely did it hold him?
Could it support him until help could come? That was the question.

"Go to him, somebody!" cried Grant in an agonized voice. Even as he
spoke a sailor ran swiftly along the deck to the base of the foremast
and began to climb rapidly. To those who watched him, however, it seemed
as if he progressed at a snail's pace.

"He's going to drop!" groaned String.

"Maybe not," said Pop Sanders, trying to appear cheerful.

"What can he do if he does reach him?" demanded Grant.

"Wait and see," cautioned Pop.

Higher and higher climbed the sailor. From above Petersen, the man who
had accompanied Fred to the top, leaned down and took hold of the rope
which was all that kept the unfortunate boy from falling.

"Don't pull on that," begged Grant. "It'll surely come loose."

The sailor had now approached within a few feet of Fred. A moment later
and he was by his side. He made no move to help the boy who hung so
perilously out into space. Instead he shouted something to Petersen
which could not be heard on the deck below.

"What's the matter with him?" demanded Pop angrily. "Why doesn't he do
something?"

"Let him alone," cautione