ater."

John had no great hope that they would live through the gale, but
he thought it better for the girl to be kept busily employed. She
bailed steadily but, fast as she worked, the water came in faster;
for each wave, as it swept past them, broke on board. So rapidly
were they traveling that John had the greatest difficulty in
keeping the boat from broaching to--in which case the following
wave would have filled, or overturned, her.

"I don't think it's any use, John," Mary said, quietly, as a great
wave broke on board; pouring in as much water, in a second, as she
could have baled out in ten minutes.

"No use, dear. Sit quietly by me but, first, pull those oars aft.
Now, tie them together with that piece of rope. Now, when the boat
goes down, keep tight hold of them.

"Cut off another piece of rope, and give it me. When we are in the
water, I will fasten you to the oars. They will keep you afloat,
easily enough. I will keep close to you. You know I am a good
swimmer and, whenever I feel tired, I can rest my hands on the
oars, too.

"Keep up your courage, and keep as quiet as you can. These sudden
storms seldom last long; and my father will be sure to get the
boats out, as soon as he can, to look for us."

John spoke cheerfully, but he had no great hopes of their being
able to live in so rough a sea. Mary had still less, but she
quietly carried out John's instructions. The boat was half-full of
water, now, and rose but heavily upon the waves.

John raised himself and looked round; in hopes that the wind might,
unnoticed, have shifted a little and blown them towards the shore.
As he glanced around, him he gave a shout. Following almost in
their track, and some fifty yards away, was a large galley; running
before the wind, with a rag of sail set on its mast.

"We are saved, Mary!" he exclaimed. "Here is a galley, close to
us."

He shouted loudly, though he knew that his voice could not be
heard, many yards away, in the teeth of the gale but, almost
directly, he saw two or three men stand up in the bow of the
galley. One was pointing towards them, and he saw that they were
seen.

In another minute the galley came sweeping along, close to the
boat. A dozen figures appeared over her side, and two or three
ropes were thrown. John caught one, twisted it rapidly round Mary's
body and his own, knotted it and, taking her in his arms, jumped
overboard. Another minute they were drawn alongside the galley, and
pu