somewhat over six feet from the ground. Then Childers scrambled up
on to their shoulders, and from these stepped onto the ledge.

"I am all right," he said; "I wish to Heaven that you were too."

"We shall do," Frank said. "Mind you hold tight, Childers! You had
better turn round with your face to the cliff, so as to be able to
grip hold and steady yourself in case the waves come up high. The
tide will turn in three quarters of an hour at the outside. Now,
then, Ruthven, let's make a fight for it, old man."

"What are you going to do, Frank?"

"We will wade along here as far as we can towards the corner, and
than we must swim for it."

"Don't you think it's possible to stay here," Ruthven said, "if
the tide will turn so soon?"

"Quite impossible!" Frank said. "I have been nearly taken off my
feet twice already, and the water will rise a yard yet, at least.
We should be smashed against the rocks, even if we weren't drowned. It
must be tried, Ruthven. There is no other way for it. The distance
is a good deal farther than it would have been if we had started
at first; but it isn't the distance that makes much matter. We've
only got to go out a little way, and the tide will soon take us
around the point. Everything depends on you. I can take you round
the point, and land you safely enough, if you will lie quiet. If you
don't, you will drown both of us. So it's entirely in your hands.