I fear a plank has given way." "_Parbleu_!" sputtered De Noyan, with a great sound of coughing.

"So have I taken water freely.

_Sacre_! I have gulped down enough of the stuff to last me the remainder of life." "Hold your wit until we are safe ashore, Monsieur," I commented shortly, for as I stood the strain was heavy on my arms.

"Push toward the right, both of you, or the boat will sink before we can beach her; she takes water like a sieve." We slowly won our way backward, the effort requiring every pound of our combined strength, De Noyan and I tugging breathlessly at the stern, the sectary doing yeoman service at the bow.

Yet the effort told, bringing us into quieter water, although we upbore the entire weight of the boat on our shoulders after we made firm footing.