Following it out, he stood knee deep, till the next great wave advanced; then, with a plunge, he dived in beneath it.

It seemed an age before he was again seen, and Captain Drake expressed his fear that his head must have been dashed against a rock, beneath the water.
But the men said: "He dives like a duck, sir, and has often frighted us by the time he keeps under water.

You will see, he will come up beyond the second line of waves." It seemed an age, to the watchers, before a black spot appeared suddenly, beyond the foaming line of breakers.

There was a general shout of "There he is!" But they had scarce time to note the position of the swimmer, when he again disappeared.

Again and again he came up, each time rapidly decreasing the distance between himself and the shipwrecked vessel; and keeping his head above the waves for a few seconds, only, at each appearance.
The people in the vessel were watching the progress of the lad, with attention and interest even greater than was manifested by those on shore; and as he approached the ship, which already showed signs of breaking up, a line was thrown to him.