His fears supplied him with unwonted vigour.

Though the starling was more than two feet above the level of the water, he alighted with his little charge--which he had never for an instant quitted--in safety upon it.

Poor Ben was not so fortunate.

Just as he was preparing to follow, the wherry containing Rowland and his men, which had drifted in their wake, was dashed against his boat.

The violence of the collision nearly threw him backwards, and caused him to swerve as he sprang.