Several men sprang into the sea, and swam, puffing and blowing, towards land. Terror had reached its height among the troops. The junks sank rapidly; the water bubbled and boiled as it poured into their holds. The enemy was at hand, and yet invisible. The more lights were brought, the blacker seemed the sea. The Prince of Nagato leaned from the canoe, and vainly strove to pierce the gloom with his eye. Suddenly a violent shock made his boat start and quiver, dancing about in strange fashion for some moments. "We can see no more than you," said a voice; "excuse us, Prince, for giving you such a knock." "Oh, it's you!" said Nagato; "did you succeed?" "We should be at work still, if our task were not accomplished. We have gnawed through the wood like an army of rats, and made a big hole in the junk." "Good, good!" said the Prince; "you are indeed valuable assistants." "Let us sheer off," said Raiden; "they have long-boats still; they may pursue us." "And our comrades?" "They'll take care of themselves; be sure of that. Perhaps they have escaped already." The soldiers fired a few arrows at hap-hazard, which fell like rain in the water around the canoes. "They are so awkward that they might hit us without meaning to do so!" said Nata, laughingly. "Sheer off!" shouted Raiden, rowing vigorously. The darkness now began to grow less profound; a pale gleam spread across the sky like a drop of milk in a glass of water. On the edge of the horizon the light grew stronger, though still vague and faint. It was the dawn of the rising full moon. Soon, like the point of a sword-blade upon the horizon, the planet shed a steel-like lustre. At once a trail alternately dark and light ran along the sea to the shore; bluish sparks crackled and glittered on the crest of the waves; then the moon appeared like the arch of a bridge, and at last rose wholly into sight, like a metal mirror. They were now out of reach of the soldiers. Nata took the oars; Raiden rubbed Loo's temples with saki as he lay across the Prince's knees. "At least he is not dead, poor child!" said Nagato, putting his hand on Loo's heart. "No. See, his little chest heaves slowly; he breathes; but he is frozen. We must strip off his wet clothes." They undressed him; Nata took off his outer garment and wrapped the boy in it. "That brat don't know what fear is," said Raiden. "Don't you remember, Prince, how he bit me when I wanted to fight you? I have but one wish now; that is, that he might bite me again." The sailor tried to separate Loo's locked teeth, and poured a quantity of saki down his throat. The boy swallowed it the wrong way, sneezed, coughed; then opened his eyes. "What! then I am not dead?" he asked, gazing about him. "Well, it seems not," cried the delighted Raiden. "Will you drink?"