“What is that?” he asked, his voice trembling. “It must be the sea beating on a ledge,” answered Frank. “Great Heaven! Then we are being carried straight upon it!” “It seems that way. See if you can tear out another seat. We must try to paddle past the ledge.” Merry’s companion did his best, but he could not get out another seat, and the roaring of the water told that each moment was carrying them nearer and nearer to the fatal ledge. Frank was paddling with all his strength, but the seat was little better than nothing, and, at times, it took all his skill to hold the boat steady so she would not upset or be swamped. The waves tossed them high and then fell away beneath them, dropping them down with a sickening sensation. They were drenched with spray and sheets of water. The wind tore the breath from their lips as it hissed along the surface of the sea. Steadily and surely they were driven toward the ledge that lay out there in the night, roaring like an infuriated wild beast. As they rose on the waves they peered in the direction of the sound, trying to see where the fatal rock lay. “We must strike her soon!” cried Wallace. “The end will come in a hurry when we do. Oh, dear! oh, dear!” Not a word from Frank, but he continued to ply his rude paddle, hoping to pull past the point of danger. He knew the frail boat would be smashed like an eggshell if flung on the ledge, but his heart did not fail him. While he lived he would struggle and hope. “There she is!” screamed Wallace, as they rose high on a great wave. Near at hand a wall of foam was flung upward into the darkness. They saw it a moment, and then it vanished as they sank into the trough of the sea. Wallace began to pray. Toot! toot! toot! Through the night came the shrill blast of a whistle, electrifying the imperiled lads. The sound was close at hand. “What’s that?” screamed Wallace. “A whistle—a signal!” came from Frank. “It’s a signal to us! Answer it! Now—together!” They shouted as loudly as they could. It seemed that the wind tore the cry from their lips and carried it away into the night. Again they shouted. Toot! toot! toot! Nearer yet sounded the whistle, but they were so close upon that dreadful ledge! Up to the top of a swell they rode, and then they shouted with joy, for, close at hand, a gleaming light danced over the surging sea. They knew succor was near. Could it reach them in time? They continued their cries, and the relentless waves seemed trying harder than ever to sweep them upon the ledge. All at once the light seemed to gleam close over them, and they saw the prow of a boat. They also saw the face of Jack Diamond close behind a lighted lantern that he was holding aloft. “Here we are!” shouted Frank. “Don’t run us down!” “Make ready!” came back the call. “Jump as we swing alongside.”