the tears, as a swift thought went back to his brother Frank, who
had given his life to save another. Just as Yaspard looked had Frank
stood, smiling like a hero, when he plunged into Wester-voe to save
cripple Bartle. But even that gallant deed had less risk in it than
this which Yaspard contemplated, for the distance Frank had to swim was
not half as far, and the sea was quite calm.

"It will be a fearful thing to do, Yaspard," Harry said after a pause;
"ten chances to one against your reaching the other shore. Yet--I will
not say _don't_--because--I'll try too. Did you ever hear of--what
our--Frank did?"

"Yes, I heard. It was remembering what he did made me want to do this
for poor Tom."

"Well, old man, we will make a try with Pirate when the weather falls a
little more."

"Not you, Harry. Only myself and Pirate. It would never do to leave
Tom with those duffers. And besides, poor chaps, they'd be all at sea
if we failed and no relief came. With _you_ still here _something_
would be thought of that had sense in it."

Harry was obliged to own the wisdom of Yaspard's words, knowing full
well how little Bill was able to take his place as director of affairs.

The Harrisons and Gloy were not to be depended upon for anything beyond
willing service and obedience to a guiding head. Yet Harry wished to
share Yaspard's responsibility, his peril, and his daring. "Let's cast
lots," he suggested.

"No," said the Viking-boy decisively. "This quest is mine. Not
another word about it, Harry."

"Mother, mother!" Tom muttered, rolling his head uneasily, and the word
reached their ears as they sat by the boat under which he lay.

"You hear?" whispered Yaspard; "think of your mother. If I don't reach
land I shall go to my mother, but yours is in the Manse of Lunda, and
would break her heart if anything happened to you."

By that time the rabbit was cooked, and some plovers' eggs also
roasted, along with a large crab which had been taking an airing before
Gloy's gleg[1] vision, and was obliged to yield to fate on the instant.
The lads were very hungry, and enjoyed their meal in spite of
everything.

When every morsel was demolished, even to the bones, which fell to
Pirate's share, the lads gathered in a group beside the boat, and tried
to wile away the time with supposing a great many wonderful kinds of
rescues which might take place; and it was then that Harry told the
others of Yaspard's project.

"You