The splashing went on once more; and now both Will and Josh could support themselves easily by holding on to the gunwale, the boat increasing in buoyancy every moment, while three hands scooped out the water with long and vigorous well-laden throws. It became easier for Dick too now, for he found that he could sit astride one of the thwarts, holding on in position by twisting his legs beneath; and this gave him power to use both hands, which he joined together and scooped out the water in pints that became quarts, gallons, and bucketsfull. "Hooray!" cried Josh with a cheer, and there was a few minutes' rest. "A mussy me! it's child's play now. Look here; s'pose you roll out now and take my place. No: go out on Will's side and hold on by him while I get in." Dick shivered at the idea. It seemed so horrible to give up his safe position and trust to the sea once more. But he did not hesitate long. Taking tight hold of the bulwark, he literally rolled over the side and let himself down into the sea, with the phosphorescence making his body, limbs, and feet even, visible like those of his companion. But there was no time to study the wonders of Nature then, or even look at the way in which the keel of the boat was illumined by myriads of golden points. "Hold on! Steady! Keep her down!" cried Josh; and then, as the two lads clung to the gunwale they were raised right up, as there was a wallow and a splash; the opposite side went down so low that it began to ship water, but only for a moment; Josh had given a spring, and rolled in over the side. "Now, then, leave him there, Will, lad, and work round, by her starn. I'll soon have some of the water out now." He began feeling about as he spoke with his hands beneath the thwarts forward, and directly after he uttered a cry of joy. "Here she be," he said, tearing out the half of a tin bucket that had held the bait. "Now we'll do some work." As he spoke he began dipping and emptying, pouring nearly a gallon of water over the side at every turn; and in ten minutes, during which he had laboured incessantly, he had made such a change that he bade Will come in. "Now you can bale a bit," he said. "My arms are about dead." Will climbed in and took the bucket, scooping out the water with all his might, while Josh bent over Dick. "You're 'bout perished, my lad. Come along." He placed his hands under Dick's arm-pits, and though he said that his own arms were about dead he hoisted the boy in almost without an effort, and then left him to help himself, while he resumed baling with his hands, scooping out the water pretty fast, and each moment lightening the little craft. "Good job we'd no stone killicks aboard, Will," he said, "or down she'd have gone." "There's the buoys too wedged forward," said Will; "they have helped to keep her up."