"A good sign," said Langton, "it shows that they are not given to attack human beings in these waters. Don't let us trouble our heads about them." This Owen found it was not so easy to do. It appeared to him that they had been hours in the water. The courage of the two swimmers was greatly tried, for still the land seemed as far off as ever. More than once Owen felt that he could go no further. He prayed that strength might be given him, and again struck out bravely. The sight of the sharks made him unwilling to rest even for a moment, for he knew as long as he kept his arms and legs moving there was less danger of being seized. At last a feeling came over him that he must give in. "Push on ahead, Langton," he said, in a faint voice, "I will follow slowly; but I only detain you now." "No, no, Hartley," answered Langton. "I will not desert you; cheer up, cheer up." Just at that moment Langton felt his feet strike the ground. For an instant he feared that it was a shark, or some other monster fish, but, again putting down his foot he felt the hard, soft sand. "Thank Heaven, Owen, it's all right, here's the bottom!" he exclaimed. Both swimming on a few strokes more, Owen found that his feet also could touch the sand, and that he could stand up with his head out of water. They waded on; the depth decreased but slowly, but still it did decrease. Langton's shoulders rose above the surface, he could now assist Owen. Exerting all their strength they made rapid way, and in a few minutes more found themselves standing on the dry beach. Both offered up their thanks to Heaven for their preservation, when, Owen's strength failing, he sank down on the sand. Langton was the first to recover. "Do not wait for me," said Owen. "I suppose you'll make the best of your way along, the shore until you get abreast of the ship, unless you can find a native boat before then to take you off to her?" "That's what I propose doing," answered Langton; "but I will not leave you until you regain your strength." In a few minutes Owen declared himself able to walk. "Before we start let us try to find out whether any natives are near; they may be able to help us," said Langton. They shouted at the top of their voices, but no reply was heard. They did so, believing that all the natives were friendly in that region. "We must get help without delay," said Langton. "That we may have a double chance, I suggest, Owen, that you try to make your way back to Gorontello, which cannot be more than three or four miles off, while I go down towards the ship. If I fall in with a native boat, I will go off at once; if not, I will make a signal from the shore with a big bonfire, and Mr Leigh is pretty sure to send in a boat to learn the cause. You must, in the meantime, endeavour to obtain a boat. You are certain to find some one to interpret for you; promise a handsome reward to those who succeed in discovering the captain and the rest."