MARTIN RATTLER. 53

the shore. So quietly had the manceuvre been ac-
complished, that the men in their own boat were
ignorant of their absence. In a few minutes they
were beyond the chance of detection.

“ Keep close to me, lad,” whispered the Irishman.
“If we separate in the darkness, we'll niver forgather
again. Catch hould o’ my shoulder if ye get blowed,
and splutter as much as ye like. They can’t hear us
now, and it'll help to frighten the sharks,”

“All right,” replied Martin; “I can swim like a
cork in such warm water as this. Just go a little
slower and I'll do famously.”

Thus encouraging each other, and keeping close
together, lest they should get separated in the thick
darkness of the night, the two friends struck out
bravely for the shore. —