in, as a sea rushed
over the reef, he was thrown back, but exerting all his strength, he
struggled forward. He was nearing the wreck, and could see that Oliver,
who was eagerly watching him, had got hold of a short length of rope,
with which he stood ready to heave when he should be near enough. But
he felt his own strength failing. It seemed almost beyond his power to
reach the wreck. Still, it was not in his nature to give in, and making
a desperate effort, striking out through the surging waters, he clutched
the rope which Oliver hove-to him, and the next instant was clambering
on board. Throwing himself down on the deck, he endeavoured to regain
his strength, Oliver grasping him tightly with one hand, while he held
to the stanchion with the other.

"I knew you would not desert us, Rayner," he said. "But now you have
come, how are we to get this poor fellow to the shore? I could not
leave him, or I would not have allowed you to risk your life by
returning on board. We must try and knock a raft together sufficient to
carry Peek, and you and I will swim alongside it, if we cannot make it
large enough to hold us all three. There's no time to be lost, though."

Providentially the wind had by this time decreased, and the tide having
fallen, the seas struck with less fury against the wreck, and enabled
the two midshipmen to work far more effectually than they could
otherwise have done.

Jack begged that he might try and help them, but they insisted on his
remaining where he was, lest a sea should carry him off, and he might
not have the strength to regain the wreck.

Fortunately the two axes had been preserved, and going below, they found
several lengths of rope, though not of sufficient strength to form a
safe communication with the shore. They would serve, however, for
lashing the raft together.

They quickly cutaway some of the bulkheads. They also discovered below
several spars and a grating. By lashing these together they in a short
time formed a raft of sufficient size to carry all three. They next
made a couple of paddles with which to guide the raft. They were very
rough, but they would serve their purpose. It was almost dark by the
time the raft was finished.

"I say, I feel desperately hungry, and I daresay so do you, Rayner,
after all you have gone through," said Oliver. "I propose that we
should have some of the contents of the basket we packed. I left it in
the steward's pantry on the w