ought his experience into practice; pushing the grating before him, he
made towards the drowning person, who, from the wild way in which he
threw his arms about in attempting to keep afloat, was evidently no
swimmer. The sea was tolerably smooth, so that Owen made good way, and
in a short time he saw that the person was no other than his friend Nat
Midge.

"Cheer up, Nat," he shouted. "Do not exhaust yourself; keep your hands
quiet and tread water."

Nat heard him, and did his best to obey his injunctions. The ship
appeared to be getting further and further from them, but the grating
would be sufficient to support both if Owen once got it up to Nat. It
was very clear, however, that Nat could not swim to it.

Owen struck out with all his might. He would have got on faster without
the grating, but, in case Nat should get frightened, it might be
dangerous to approach him. "It must be done, though," thought Owen; "he
will sink if I do not get up to him quickly." Leaving the grating,
therefore, he struck out rapidly for the boy, and had just time to seize
him before, exhausted by his fruitless exertions, he was disappearing
beneath the surface. Owen held him up. Happily the drowning lad
retained his senses.

"Put your hand on my shoulders," said Owen, "and I will tow you up to
the grating; just float, and do not attempt to help yourself."

Nat did as he was bid, and at length Owen had the satisfaction of
reaching the grating, which Nat at once grasped.

"Hold on tight, and do not struggle so as to exhaust yourself. The boat
will soon come to pick us up. If you can keep your head above water
that is all that is necessary," said Owen.

But Nat had scarcely sufficient strength even to hold on. Owen,
therefore, taking one of his hands assisted him to retain his hold
beside him. The grating enabled them to keep their heads well out of
the water, and Owen found that he could raise himself high enough up to
look about him. Where was the ship? She appeared far away to leeward,
but, as she had hove to, he felt sure that a boat was being lowered.
Still it seemed a long time to wait; the wind was increasing and the sea
was getting up. It would be a hard matter to hold on to the grating,
over which the sea frequently washed.

"They won't leave us, Mr Hartley?" said Nat; "it would be hard for you
to have to die with me."

"No fear of that," answered Owen. "Do not give way; and see, there's
the boat coming."