had seen in the morning, without thinking of
any danger to himself, his ardent desire being to save his friend, he
plunged overboard. Charlie had struck the water on his side, and was
apparently senseless, for he made no attempt to save himself; but still
he floated. The ship running fast at the time, and only part of the
sails having been furled, Roger heard the Captain give the order to
heave her to, as he struck out towards his friend, whom he reached just
as he appeared on the point of sinking. At that moment Charlie's
consciousness had returned.

"Never fear, you are all right," cried Roger. "Let me put my arms under
you, and do not attempt to swim till you are better. I will tread
water, and easily keep you and myself up."

"Where am I?" asked Charlie, in a very faint voice.

"Somewhere out in the middle of the Atlantic," said Roger, in a cheerful
tone. "But the ship's not far off, and help will come to us as soon as
a boat can be lowered; she's rounding-to, though she had so much way on
her that she shot somewhat far ahead."

Charlie was slowly recovering his senses, and did as he desired; but
when Roger looked up, the ship seemed a long long way off; not till then
did the thought of sharks occur to him. Though he had fortunately shot
the one which had been following the ship, there might be many others.
He, however, did not let this idea damp his courage, but kept treading
water with might and main, and singing out at the top of his voice, as
if he were hailing his shipmates, and urging them to come faster to his
assistance. At length he saw a boat lowered, and pulling towards them,
but she was still far away; the thought of the abominable sharks would
come back. As Charlie was recovering, he told him to sing out, and at
the same time to splash with his feet. "Just to keep away the cramps,
Charlie," he said; for he did not wish to frighten him with the thought
of the sharks. He looked round, and fancied he saw a dark fin in the
distance, but he might, he knew, be mistaken. The boat drew nearer, the
crew were giving way with all their might. Old Dick Kemp was steering
her, standing up to observe the spot where the two lads were floating.
Between her and them Roger observed that dark fin. "I hope that Dick
will see it too, and if he has a musket in the boat, will try to hit
it." Roger forgot, if he did, that the bullet would very likely strike
them. He shouted and splashed, and bade Charlie do