ght to the shore.

How long they struggled with the surf Eric could not tell. But his
strength had failed, and his senses were fast leaving him, when his
feet touched something firmer than tossing waves, and presently he and
Prince were lifted up, and then hurled violently upon the sand. Had he
been alone, the recoil of the wave would certainly have carried him
back again into the surge; but the dog dug his big paws into the soft
beach, and forced his way up, dragging his master with him.

Dizzy, bewildered, and faint, Eric staggered to his feet, looked about
him in hope of finding the major near, and then, seeing nobody, fell
forward upon the sand in a dead faint.

How long he lay unconscious upon the beach Eric had no idea; but when
he at length came to himself, he found a big, bushy-bearded man bending
over him with a half-pitying, half-puzzled look, while beside him,
ready for a spring, was faithful Prince, regarding him with a look that
said as plainly as words,--

"Attempt to do my master any harm and I will be at your throat."

But the big man seemed to have no evil intent. He had evidently been
waiting for Eric to gain consciousness, and as soon as the boy opened
his eyes, said in a gruff but not unkind voice,---

"So you're not dead after all, my hearty. More's the pity, maybe. Old
Evil-Eye'll be wanting to make a clean job of it, as usual."

Eric did not at all take in the meaning of the stranger's words; his
senses had not yet fully returned. He felt a terrible pain in his head
and a distressing nausea, and when he tried to get upon his feet he
found the effort too much for him. He fell back with a cry of pain
that made the affectionate mastiff run up to him and gently lick his
face, as though to say,--

"What's the matter, dear master? Can I do anything for you?"

The man then seemed, for the first time, to take notice of the dog, and
putting forth a huge, horny hand, he patted him warily, muttering under
his beard,--

"Sink me straight, but it's a fine beast. I'll have him for my share,
if I have to take the boy along with him."

Perceiving by some subtle instinct the policy of being civil, Prince
permitted himself to be patted by the stranger, and then lay down again
beside him in a manner that betokened, "When wanted, I'm ready."

Eric was eager to hear about Major Maunsell and the others who had been
on board the _Francis_. Were it not for his weakness he would be
running up and d