under water if I could not have swam. You can't swim, Ruthven, I
know; can you other fellows?"

Goodall could swim, as could one of the others.

"Now, Ruthven," Frank said, "if you will put your hand on my
shoulder and keep quiet, I think I could carry you around. Goodall
and Jackson can take Childers."

But neither of the other boys had much confidence in their swimming.
They could get thirty or forty yards, but felt sure that they
would be able to render but little assistance to Childers, and in
fact scarcely liked to round the point alone. For some time they
debated the question, the sea every minute rising and pushing them
farther and farther from the point. "Look here, Frank," Ruthven said
at last; "you are not sure you can carry me. The others are quite
certain that they cannot take Childers. We must give up that idea.
The best thing, old boy, is for you three who can swim to start
together. Then if either of the others fail you can help them a
bit. Childers and I must take our chance here. When you get round
you must send a boat as soon as possible."

"I certainly shall not desert you, Ruthven," Frank said. "You know
as well as I do that I'm not likely to find a boat on the shore
till I get pretty near Walmer Castle, and long before we could get
back it would be settled here. No, no, old fellow, we will see the
matter out together. Jackson and Goodall can swim round if they
like."

These lads, however, would not venture to take the risk alone, but