r," said
the mate. "It will afford us ample support if we merely hold on by each
side. Are you all right, Nub?"

"Yes, yes, Massa Shobbrok; all right," answered Nub.

"Then off we go," cried the mate; "and I hope that before long we may
come up with the raft, or that the captain's boat, or some stranger, may
pick us up." Saying this, the mate took hold of one of the beckets
which Nub had secured for the purpose, and struck out boldly to the
westward.

Only strong swimmers and very determined men could have kept up as they
did. It is true that the chest afforded them some support, but they had
thus only one hand to swim with; still they made considerable progress,
shoving on with their feet and striking out with the hands left at
liberty. The wind was fair and the water smooth, or they would have
been unable to make any progress. On and on they swam. When the arm
they were using for propelling themselves grew weary, they shifted
sides; by which they were able to continue their exertions much longer
than they would otherwise have done. Alice remained perfectly still,
though she now and then spoke to the mate or Nub. The former found it
very difficult to answer her questions, as again and again she asked
when they should overtake Walter, or how far off the land was likely to
be. "Oh, how I wish that we were near enough to see it!" she added.

"It may cheer you to know that when I was on the top of the whale I
fancied that I caught sight of some high land away to the westward,"
answered the mate. "It was very faint, and as I felt uncertain, I did
not like to run the risk of disappointing you; but I have been thinking
over the matter, and am persuaded that it was land. If it was, we shall
have a better chance than I had hoped for of reaching it before long."

"You thought dat land, Massa Shobbrok; so did I. Hurrah! Swim away,
boys! swim away! We soon get over de sea!" shouted Nub, endeavouring to
raise his own spirits, as well as to encourage Alice. Thus they went
on, but the mate could not help secretly feeling that the probability of
their escaping was small indeed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. The author must express the surprise he felt when he met with
the account of Nub's wonderful ride on the zygaena. However, it was too
good to be omitted, though he must leave his readers to judge of its
probability. He would advise any of them who may vi