stily, as another vast swell of water came rolling along, shaking its
white curled mane, like a sea-monster bent on destruction.

"Monty, it's no use," said Eric, hastily tearing off his jacket and
waistcoat; "I'm not going to let Russell die on that ledge of rock. I
shall try to reach him, whatever happens to me. Here; I want to keep
these things dry. Be on the look-out; if I get across, fling them over
to me if you can, and then do as I told you."

He turned round; the wave had just spent its fury, and knowing that his
only chance was to swim over before another came, he plunged in, and
struck out like a man. He was a strong and expert swimmer, and as yet
the channel was not more than a dozen yards across. He dashed over with
the speed and strength of despair, and had just time to clutch the rocks
on the other side before the next mighty swirl of the tide swept up in
its white and tormented course. In another minute he was on the ledge
by Russell's side.

He lifted him tenderly, and called to Montagu for the dry clothes.
Montagu tied them skilfully with his neck-handkerchief round a fragment
of rock, adding his own wet jacket to the bundle, and then flung it
over. Eric wrapped up his friend in the clothes, and once more shouted
to Montagu to go on his errand. For a short time the boy lingered,
reluctant to leave them. Then he started off at a run. Looking back
after a few minutes, he caught, through the gathering dusk, his last
glimpse of the friends in their perilous situation. Eric was seated
supporting Russell across his knees. When he saw Montagu turn, he waved
his cap over his head as a signal of encouragement, and then began to
carry Edwin higher up the rock for safety. It soon grew too dark to
distinguish them, and Montagu at full speed flew to Ellan, which was a
mile off. When he got to the harbour he told some sailors of the
danger, in which his friends were, and then ran on to the school. It
was now eight o'clock, and quite dark. Tea was over, and lock-up time
long past, when he stood wet through, excited, breathless, and without
cap or jacket, at Dr Rowlands's door.

"Good gracious! Master Montagu," said the servant; "what's the matter;
have you been robbed?"

He pushed the girl aside, and ran straight to Dr Rowlands's study.
"Oh, sir!" he exclaimed, bursting in, "Eric and Russell are on the
Stack, cut off by the tide."

Dr Rowlands started up hastily. "What! on this stormy night? H