couple
of guineas for any one who will come with us," added he.

"A couple of guineas is not to be got every day," observed a sullen,
downcast-looking man, who had not yet spoken; "and it is not much odds
to me whether I sink or swim now; those custom-house sharks," added he,
with an oath, "look so close after one, that one can't ~102~~do a stroke
of work that will pay a fellow nowadays. Money down, and I'm your man,
sir," he added, turning to Lawless.

"That's the ticket," said Lawless, handing him the money. "I'm glad to
see one of you, at least, has got a little pluck about him. Come along."

I could see that Oaklands did not at all approve of the plan, evidently
considering we were running a foolish risk; but, as nothing short of
a direct quarrel with Lawless could have prevented it, his habitual
indolence and easy temper prevailed, and he remained silent. I felt much
inclined to object, in which case I had little doubt the majority of
the party would have supported me; but a boyish dread, lest my refusal
should be attributed to cowardice, prevented my doing so. With the
assistance of the by-standers we contrived to launch our little bark
without further misadventure than a rather heavier sprinkling of salt
water than was agreeable. Rowing in such a sea, however, proved much
harder work than I, for one, had any idea of; we made scarcely any
way against the waves, and I soon felt sure that it would be utterly
impossible for us to reach Helmstone by any exertions we were capable
of making. The weather too was becoming worse every minute: it rained
heavily, and it was with the greatest difficulty we were able to prevent
the crests of some of the larger waves from dashing into our boat; in
fact, as it was, she was already half full of water, which poured in
faster than Coleman (who was the only person not otherwise engaged)
could bale it out.

"Upon my word, Lawless, it's madness to attempt to go on," exclaimed
Oaklands; "we are throwing away our lives for nothing."

"It certainly looks rather queerish," replied Lawless. "What do you say
about it, my man?" he asked of the person whom he had engaged to steer
us.

"I say," replied the fellow in a surly tone, "that our only chance is
to make for the beach at once, and we shall have better luck than we
deserve, if we reach it alive."

As he spoke a larger wave than usual broke against the bow of the boat,
flinging in such a body of water that we felt her stagger un