arm wildly around me, and
kissing me on the cheek, he sprang over the side. The waves were nearly
to his shoulders; but in a few seconds he had buffeted through them, and
stood upon the shore.

With a last effort I waved my hand in adieu; and as I sank back
exhausted, I heard a wild cry burst from him, half in triumph, half in
despair. One glance more I caught of his figure as we stood out to sea;
he was kneeling on the beach, bareheaded, and as if in prayer. The tears
gushed from my eyes as I beheld him, and the long pent up sorrow at last
broke forth, and I sobbed like a child.

"Come, come, my lad! don't feel downhearted," said the sailor, laying
his hand on my shoulder; "the world can scarce have been over rough
to one so young as you are. Lift up your head, and see what a glorious
morning we 've got! And there comes the breeze over the water. We hadn't
such weather the last time we made this trip, I assure you."

I looked up suddenly; and truly never did such a scene of loveliness
meet my eyes. The sun had risen in all his glorious brilliancy, and
poured a flood of golden light across the bay, tipping with a violet hue
the far-off peaks of the Wicklow mountains, and lighting up the wooded
valleys at their feet. Close above us rose the rugged sides of Howth in
dark shadow; the frowning rocks and gloomy caverns contrasting with the
glittering tints of the opposite coast, where every cottage and cliff
sparkled in the dancing sunlight.

As we rounded the point, a cheer broke from the men, and was answered at
once. I turned my head, and saw beneath the tall cliffs the taper spars
of a small vessel, from which the sails hung listlessly, half brailed to
the mast.

"There she lies," said the skipper. "That 's the 'Saucy Sal,' my master;
and if you're any judge of a craft, I think you 'll like her. Give way,
lads,--give way; when that rock yonder 's covered, the tide is at the
flood."

The boat sprang to the strong jerk of their brawny arms, and in a
few minutes glided into the little creek where the "Saucy Sal" lay at
anchor.

Lifting me up, they placed me on board the little vessel; while, without
losing a moment, they proceeded to ship the anchor and shake out the
canvas. In less than five minutes the white sails bent to the breeze,
the water rustled at the prow, and we stood out to sea.

"Where to?" said I, in a faint whisper, to the sailor who held the
tiller beside me.

"Down Channel, sir."

"And then?"