load, stood for a while on the beach at the edge of the water,
undecided for the moment what to do first.

Harry suggested having a bathe in the limpid water of the little bay,
first of all; and indeed it looked so inviting that Roger was not slow
in seconding the proposition.

Accordingly they soon slipped off their clothes, and were quickly
disporting themselves like young dolphins in the water, when Harry,
glancing up, saw the ships lying, as it seemed, only some quarter of a
mile away, their shapes reflected in the water with such distinctness
that it was difficult to say where the substance ended and the shadow
began.

This apparent proximity of the ships immediately put an idea into both
their heads at the same moment, and they both shouted together: "Let us
have a race off to the _Stag Royal_."

They laughed that they should have spoken the same words together, and
they immediately decided that they would have a wager of a noble on the
event.

"Are you ready, then, Roger? 'tis a race to the _Stag Royal_; and the
first up the ship's side and on her deck will win the noble," exclaimed
Harry.

"Agreed, lad; away we go!" replied Roger.

And the two started off, swimming strongly, with a side stroke instead
of the breast; for although the former required more power, yet it was
the faster stroke, and they reckoned their strength to be quite equal to
a much longer distance than that to the ship.

But, as is invariably the case, distance viewed over water is deceptive,
and by the time that they had done three-quarters of the course both
were feeling pretty well fagged out with their unusual exertions, though
neither would admit it; and the fact remained that they were swimming
much slower than at the start. Suddenly they were startled by a loud
hail from the deck of the _Stag Royal_--the ship for which they were
making,--in the voice of Cavendish.

"Be not frightened, lads, but pull out as fast as you can for the ship;
there are sharks coming after you!"

Their hearts leapt in their breasts at this startling news, and, looking
hurriedly round, they perceived, to their horror, that several black
triangular dorsal fins were cleaving the water in their wake, and
closing rapidly in upon them.

Fortunately the water in the direction in which they were swimming was
as yet clear, to all appearance.

"Cannot you send a boat, sir? We are nearly exhausted with the swim,"
hailed Roger, who was slightly in advance