hest, he dragged him out, half
insensible, upon the rocks.

Another half minute or so might have been fatal, but Aleck had some
little energy left, and, after a strangling fit of coughing, he was able
to sit up.

"Take--the rope off!" he panted.

This was done, and in a few minutes he was breathing freely and able to
talk.

"I didn't get a fair start," he said, hoarsely. "I slipped, and went in
before I was ready; but I got on all right for a bit till I seemed to be
sucked in between two pieces of rock, and felt myself going into black
darkness. Then I signalled to you."

"I hauled directly."

"Yes, and it seemed to drag me crosswise so that I couldn't pass through
between the two rocks again. How did you manage then?"

"I did nothing, only let go so as to make a fresh start."

"Did you?" said Aleck, quietly. "Ah, I didn't know anything about that.
I only knew that it was very horrible, and I thought it was all over.
It was very near, wasn't it?"

"Oh, I don't know," said the middy, coolly. "You say that you didn't
have a fair start?"

"No; it was that fall. But it's queer work. You can't make out where
you are going, and the current grinds your head up against the weedy
rock."

"But you got nearly through, didn't you?"

"I suppose so, but I don't know. It was all one horrible confusion."

"Yes; but another few yards, I expect, and you would have been safe, and
could have pulled me through, or helped me as I swam."

"Perhaps," said Aleck, rather slowly, for he felt confused still. "But
what are you doing?"

"Peeling off my clothes."

"What for?" said Aleck, speaking now with more animation.

"To do my turn, and see how I get on."

"No, no, no!" cried Aleck, excitedly. "You mustn't try. It's too
horrible."

"Horrible? Nonsense. It's only a swim in the dark. I like diving."

"I tell you it can't be done, sailor," cried Aleck, angrily. "The risk
is too great. I should have been drowned if you had not hauled me out."

"Well, and if I'm going to be drowned you'll haul me out. You're strong
enough now, aren't you?"

"Oh, yes; but you mustn't risk it."

"You wait till I get these things off, my lad, and I'll show you. Why,
you'd have done it splendidly if you had dived off the rock instead of
going in flip-flap like a sole out of a basket. I'll show you how to do
it."

"You'd better take my word for it that it can't be done. Let's wait
till the tide's low enough, and then sw