e waves. The sailor, when ashore, seeks some sport more
attractive.

As Old Bill had been at sea ever since he was able to stand upon the
deck of a ship, he had neglected this useful art; and though in every
other respect an accomplished sailor, rated A.B., Number 1, he could not
swim six lengths of his own body.

It was a noble instinct which prompted his three youthful companions to
remain by him in that critical moment, when, by flinging themselves upon
the waves, they might have gained the shore without difficulty.

Although the bay might be nearly two miles in width, there could not be
more than half that distance beyond their depth, judging by the shoal
appearance which the coast had exhibited as they were approaching it
before sundown.

All three felt certain of being able to save themselves; but what would
become of their companion the sailor?

"We cannot leave you, Bill!" cried Harry; "we will not!"

"No, that we can't: we won't!" said Terence.

"We can't and won't," asseverated Colin, with like emphasis.

These generous declarations were in answer to an equally generous
proposal in which the sailor had urged them to make for the shore, and
leave him to his fate.

"Ye must, my lads!" he cried out, repeating his proposition. "Don't
mind about me; look to yersels! Och! shure I'm only a weather-washed,
worn-out old salt, 'ardly worth savin'. Go now, off wi' ye at onest.
The water'll be over ye, if ye stand 'eer tin minutes longer."

The three youths scrutinised each other's faces, as far as the darkness
would allow them. Each tried to read in the countenances of the other
two some sign that might determine him. The water was already washing
around their shoulders; it was with difficulty they could keep their
feet.

"Let loose, lads!" cried old Bill; "let loose, I say! and swim richt for
the shore. Don't think o' me; it bean't certain I shan't weather it
yet. I'm the whole av my head taller than the tallest av ye. The tide
mayn't full any higher; an' if it don't I'll get safe out after all.
Let loose, lads, let loose, I tell ye!"

This command of the old sailor for his young comrades to forsake him was
backed by a far more irresistible influence, one against which even
their noble instincts could no longer contend.

At that moment a wave, of greater elevation than any that had preceded
it, came rolling along; and the three midshipmen, lifted upon its swell,
were borne nearly half a cable's