As he neared the other side he did not make immediately for Ralph.

He thought it would be wise to rest a little before attempting to take the boy back, and so he made for another point of rock, a little nearer the opening, urging the boy, as he neared him, to sit firmly and keep up a good heart.
"All right," said Ralph.

"I see what you are after.

That is a better place than this, and if you land there I think I can scramble over to you." "Don't move," said the captain.

"Sit where you are until I tell you what to do." The captain had not made more than two or three strokes after speaking when his right hand struck against something hard, just below the surface of the water.