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.

Thanks to the instructions he had given them, and to their confidence in him, they placed no great weight upon him.

But every ounce tells heavily on a swimmer, and Frank gave a gasp of relief as at last his feet touched the ground.

Bidding his companions at once set off at a run he sat down for two or three minutes to recover his breath.
"It is lucky," he said to himself, "that I did not try with Ruthven.
It's a very different thing carrying fellows who can swim and fellows who can't.

What fools we've been to let ourselves he caught here! I had no idea the tide came so high, or that it was so dangerous, and none of us have ever been round here before.