ing with his hands, and feet foremost,
showing from time to time amongst the foam, literally shooting like a
canoe right between the rocks, to float directly after in smooth water,
and calmly swim round towards the shore.

The feat had been seen hundreds of times; every swimmer who had attained
manhood could do it; and at times it was hard work to keep back the
venturesome boys. But no matter when it was done there was always a
cheer for the brave young fellow who took the leap, and who was now seen
to alter his mind, and make for a fishing lugger a quarter of a mile
away--one which was just coming in from the fishing-ground miles away.

"Huh, Harry Paul," said one of a group of dark, weather-tanned
fishermen, to a fair-haired, clear-skinned young fellow of two or three
and twenty; who had just thrown his straw-hat upon the rocks, showing
his crisp, short, yellowish hair, and broad, white forehead. "Going to
have a swim?"

"Yes," said the young man quietly, as he proceeded to divest himself of
his neckerchief and let loose his thick white throat; "nice night for
it."

"Where are you going, lad?" said another, for somehow they took a great
interest in his proceedings.

"Oh, I thought of swimming out to James's boat and back, or else coming
back in her. She seems to have plenty of fish."

"Ay, lad, plenty," said another; "they've been signalling that they're
'most full. But when are you going to take the jump, lad, eh?"

"I don't know," said Harry quietly, as he went on preparing for his
bathe; "perhaps never."

"I wonder at you, Master Harry," said another, a grey-headed old
fisherman. "Here's you, son of the biggest owner here in Carn Du, a
young chap as can swim like a seal, and yet never had the pluck to take
the big leap."

"Yes," said the first speaker, "a dive as there's dozens of boys o'
fifteen and sixteen ready to do if they'd let 'em."

"Ay," said the grey-haired old fellow, "that they would. Why, I done it
when I was fourteen and a half."

"Mark. Penelly says as you're the biggest coward as ever stepped," said
another maliciously.

"Oh! never you mind what Mark Penelly says, Master Harry," said the
grey-haired man. "He's jealous; that's about what he is. He's 'feared
you'll go and do the dive better than him. And it's my opinion, seeing
what a swimmer you are, as you would beat him all to fits."

"So I think," said another, who had not yet spoken; and he winked at his
companions as h