ere washed away. Three others clung on, and
were partly hauled and partly washed on board; while a dog which was
swimming near them was lifted up by a wave and let directly down on the
deck. We and they had to cling to the bulwarks to save ourselves from
being carried off to leeward. One of our men, who had let go his hold
while assisting the strangers, was carried off by the rush of water
across the deck, and before any one could help him, he was seen
struggling amid the foaming billows astern. On flew the _Inca_ over the
spot where the ship had just before been seen. We managed to drag the
strangers to the companion hatch, and, with the assistance of Sam,
carried them below, followed by the dog which had been so curiously
saved with them. True, when he entered the cabin, instead of barking,
ran up to him wagging his tail and showing every sign of pleasure. I
observed how like the two animals were to each other. The mystery was
soon solved. The officers and crew remained on deck to bend another
sail. As the light of the lamp fell on the features of the first person
we got into the cabin, what was my astonishment to recognise my old
friend Tony Nyass. His surprise at seeing me was equally great.

"Is Houlston saved?" were the first words he uttered. "He was close to
me!"

"Yes, all right!" exclaimed a young man, who, helped by Sam, tottered
into the cabin. It was Houlston himself, though I should not have known
him, so pale and scared did he look. The third was one of the mates of
the Portuguese ship.

"And Faithful, too," cried Tony, kneeling down and embracing his dog.
"My old fellow, I am indeed very glad you have escaped." Faithful
seemed as well pleased as his master; and True knew him at once, and
welcomed him by leaping up to lick his face, though as he did so the
ship gave a tremendous roll, and over he tumbled to the other side of
the cabin.

I need not say how thankful we were that the lives of our old
school-fellows had been preserved. They were shivering with cold, so,
taking them into our cabin, we got off their wet clothes and put them to
bed. Tony then told me that after the commencement of the gale, the
ship had sprung a leak, and that though the crew had behaved very well,
and stood manfully to the pumps, the water could not be got under. When
it was found that the ship must go down, the boats were prepared. He
and Houlston, with the second mate and several of the crew, had got in