be sure that
I will not keep you waiting any longer than I can help."

One day Will was walking along the cliffs, feeling very solitary, when he
heard a faint cry, and, looking down, saw Tom Stevens in a deep pool. It
had precipitous sides, and he was evidently unable to climb out. "Hold on,
Tom," he shouted, "I will come to you."

It was half a mile before he could get to a place where he was able to
climb down, and when he reached the shore he ran with breathless speed to
the spot where Tom's head was still above the water. He saw at once that
his friend's strength was well-nigh spent, and, leaping in, he swam to
him. "Put your arms round my neck," he said. "I will swim down with you to
the point where the creek ends." The boy was too far gone to speak, and it
needed all Will's strength to help him down the deep pool to the point
where it joined the sea, and then to haul him ashore.

"I was nearly gone, Will," the boy said when he recovered a little.

"Yes, I saw that. But how on earth did you manage to get into the water?"

"I was running along by the side of the cliff, when my foot slipped. I
came down on my knee and hurt myself frightfully; I was in such pain that
I could not stop myself from rolling over. I tried to swim, which, of
course, would have been nothing for me, but I think my knee is smashed,
and it hurt me so frightfully that I screamed out with pain, and had to
give up. I could not have held on much longer, and should certainly have
been drowned had you not seen me. I was never so pleased as when I heard
your voice above."

"Can you walk now, do you think?"

"No, I am sure I can't walk by myself, but I might if I leant on you. I
will try anyhow."

He hobbled along for a short distance, but at last said: "It is of no use,
Will, I can't go any farther."

"Well, get on my back and I will see what I can do for you."

Slowly and with many stoppages Will got him to the point where he
descended the cliff. "I must get help to carry you up here, Tom; it is
very steep, and I am sure I could not take you myself. I must go into the
village and bring assistance."

"I will wait here till morning, Will. There will be no hardship in that,
and I know that you don't like speaking to anyone."

"I will manage it," Will said cheerfully. "I will tell John Hammond, and
he will go to your uncle and get help."

"Ah, that will do! Most of the men are out, but I dare say there will be
two or three at home."

Wi