44, MARTIN RATTLER.

Well was it then for Martin Rattler that a friendly
heart beat for him on board the Firefly. Bob Croaker
carried the news to the town, but no one was found
daring enough to risk his life out in a boat on that
stormy evening. The little punt had been long out
of sight ere the news reached them, and the wind
had increased to a gale. But Barney O’Flannagan
questioned Bob Croaker closely, and took particular
note of the point of the compass at which Martin
had disappeared ; and when the Firefly at length got
under way, he climbed to the fore-top cross-trees, and
stood there scanning the horizon with an anxious
eye.

It was getting dark, and a feeling of despair began
to ereep over the seaman’s heart as he gazed round
the wide expanse of water, on which nothing was to
be seen except the white foam that crested the rising
billows.

“ Starboard, hard!” he shouted suddenly.

“ Starboard it is!” replied the man at the wheel,
with prompt obedience.

In another moment Barney slid down the back-
stay and stood on the deck, while the ship rounded
to, and narrowly missed striking a small boat that
floated keel wp on the water. There was no cry

from the boat; and it might have been passed as a