n by you till we all go together?"

"Go off by yourself, Jack; the boat will be here in five minutes now. I
think I can hold on until then; anyhow, it is the best chance."

They were now waist-deep; for, little by little, as the sand gave way
under their feet, they had been driven backwards towards deeper water.

"There is one other thing, Bill. Do you think you can shift Joe so as to
sit on one shoulder? If I get on your other it will add to your weight."

"I will try it," Bill said; "I was nearly off my feet then. Get on to
my left shoulder, Joe. Now Jack, you climb up. Yes, I think that is
better. I should be all right if the sand would not slide away so much
from under my feet."

Several times Jack felt Bill totter and sway; he was fast being swept
back into the deeper water.

"If you do go, Bill, do you and Joe throw yourselves on your backs, and
I will try and hold you up. The boat will be here in no time now."

She was indeed less than a hundred yards away when Bill exclaimed, "I am
going!"

"Keep on your back, Bill!" Jack shouted as he went backwards under
water.

The three came up close together. Jack seized the others by the hair,
and throwing himself on his back, and striking out with his legs, tried
to keep them in a similar position with their faces above water. Bill
lay quietly enough; but Joe struggled to raise his head, and turning,
grasped Jack round the body, and in a moment the three were under water.

Jack kept his presence of mind; he knew that the boat was close at hand,
and strove, not to loosen the grasp of his companions, which was
impossible, but to come to the surface occasionally for an instant.

Two or three times he managed this, and obtained a breath of air before
he went under again. The last time, he saw the boat close at hand, and a
rope fell across his face; but he could not free his hands to grasp it,
and went under immediately. His senses were leaving him, when he felt
something grasp him, and then knew no more till he opened his eyes, and
found himself in the bottom of the boat with his two companions.

CHAPTER III.

A RUN FROM HARWICH.

ONE of the sailors, dripping wet, knelt beside him. "That is all right,
lad; you will be yourself again directly."

Jack was already sufficiently recovered to sit up some time before
either Bill or Joe showed signs of life; for, unable to swim or to take
advantage of their momentary intervals of coming to the surface, they