The Advance of Science in the Last Half-Century

great gasp of relief

," he cried encouragingly. "Please

his right hand and to Prince's collar with his left. Prince had crouched close to th

s bravely as he could. "It's pret

ve crushed in the bow of a less sturdy craft, hung there for a few minutes while the breakers, as if greedy for their prey, swept e

h masts had gone by the board at the last shock, and poor little Eric certainly would have gone

the major, as he dragged the boy round to the ot

the few who were still left on board the Francis be

confusion of waters was the surf which broke upon the beach itself, and in that surf the final struggle would take place. Whether or not a single one of t

ly Lieutenants Roebuck and Moore of the cabin passengers were still to be seen. Of the soldiers and crew, almost all had b

s soon crossed, and the long line of foaming b

boy," called the major to Eric. "W

its force, the decks were clear. Not a human form was visible where a moment before more than a score of men had been clinging for dear life. Hissing and seething like things of life, and sending their spray and spume high into the mist-laden air, the merciless

ck the mastiff wore a stout leathern collar, and to this Eric clung with a grip that not even the awful violence

too doubtful. The slope of the beach was very gradual, and there was a long distance between where the brig struck and the dry land. Wholly blinded and half-choked by the d

firmer than tossing waves, and presently he and Prince were lifted up, and then hurled violently upon the sand. Had he been alone, the recoil of the wave woul

ooked about him in hope of finding the major near, and then

found a big, bushy-bearded man bending over him with a half-pitying, half-puzzled look, while beside

ter any harm and I wi

y been waiting for Eric to gain consciousness, and as soon as

ore's the pity, maybe. Old Evil-Eye'll be w

pain in his head and a distressing nausea, and when he tried to get upon his feet he found the effort too much for him. H

dear master? Can I d

tice of the dog, and putting forth a huge, horny ha

ast. I'll have him for my share, if I

permitted himself to be patted by the stranger, and then lay down a

the beach in search of them. But the terrible struggle with the surf, following upon the long exposure to the storm, had completely exhausted him, and he

Maunsell? Is

ic, and there was an expression on his face that

won't you? He's looking after me, you know," he plead

ed him with entreaty, he suddenly wheeled about an

or Maunsell, as you call him, or any of the rest of them

e as though hoping to find some sign of his not being in earnest, and then with a cry of frantic grief flung

being moved to sympathy with the boy. He seemed to be thinking deeply, and to be in much doubt as to what

What have y