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
said they would go if Frank would go with them.
"Chuck off your boots and coats and waistcoats," Frank said suddenly,
proceeding to strip rapidly to the skin. "I will take them round,
Ruthven, and come back to you. Run round the bay you and Childers,
and see if you can find any sort of ledge or projection that we can
take refuge upon. Now, then, come on you two as quick as you can."
The sea had already reached within a few feet of the foot of the
cliff all round the bay.
"Now, mind," Frank said sharply, "no struggling and nonsense, you
fellows. I will keep quite close to you and stick to you, so you
needn't be afraid. If you get tired just put one hand on my back
and swim with the other and your legs; and above all things keep
your heads as low as possible in the water so as just to be able
to breathe."
The three lads soon waded out as far as they could go and then
struck out. Jackson and Goodall were both poor swimmers and would
have fared very badly alone. The confidence, however, which they
entertained in Frank gave them courage, and they were well abreast
of the point when first Jackson and then Goodall put their hands
on his shoulders.
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