said
the Turk gravely. "That white squall last night saved our lives, for I
was mastered."

"And so was I," said the professor. "You are right, Yussuf; but we must
not let ourselves be surprised again. I had no business to sleep."

"We should not have been surprised if yon Greek dog had not struck me
down when he was pretending to be asleep by the helm. But see, effendi,
he is ordering them to try and empty the boat. Let us go down and
help."

The remains of the food were placed in the basket, which was carried
down and left in the sun to dry, not far from where the Greek skipper
was seated, holding his wounded leg.

The tide there was very slight, but still it was falling, and this
helped them in their plans.

The two Greeks were hard at work with the spar, using it as a lever; and
twice over they obtained so good a purchase that they raised the
submerged side just above the water, but it slipped back directly.

The professor did not hesitate, but said a few words to Yussuf, who
handed his loaded pistol to Lawrence, tucked up his garment, and waded
into the water at once along with Mr Preston.

"Humph! just as they were getting so nice and dry," said Mr Burne.
"Well, when one is in Cyprus, one must act like a Cypriote, eh,
Lawrence, my lad? I say, fancy one of my clients seeing me doing this."

He took off his coat, and rolled up his shirt-sleeves, nodding
laughingly at Lawrence.

"Look here, my boy," he said, "if that Greek rascal there moves, just
you go up and shoot him somewhere. Don't kill him, but we cannot stand
any of his nonsense now."

The two Greek sailors stared as the three travellers came wading to
them, and seemed disposed to leave off their task; but Yussuf gave them
their orders direct from Mr Preston, who made them get out some pieces
of board and cut loose a couple of spars.

The result of this was that one of the long spars was securely lashed by
their aid to the top of the principal mast which acted as a lever, when
all took hold of the spar and pushed upwards. By this means the side of
the boat was raised a foot or so, and could not sink back, for the free
end of the spar rested on the sand. Then another foot was gained, the
end of the spar being dragged along, and so on and on, till from being
where it was lashed to the top of the mast, quite an obtuse angle of the
widest, it was by degrees worked into a right angle, and by that time
the submerged bulwark was quite out of