"Very well, my boy; only don't get into mischief," replied the good-natured skipper. "Remember that I promised your good mother to keep an eye upon you, and unless I can hand you over with a whole skin, I shall not dare show my nose at Rustenburg Farm." "No fear of _my_ coming to grief, sir," laughed Tom, as he went down the side and seated himself in the stern-sheets of the boat. "They taught us to take care of ourselves at Rugby!" "But not to keep your legs in a gale of wind!" retorted Captain Ladds. "Don't forget the header you took down the companion-ladder, young man! Are you ready, Mr Weatherhelm?" "All ready, sir." "Then shove off, if you please; and mind that you are cautious in approaching the island." "Ay, ay, sir!" responded the officer. And at his command the bowman pushed off, and the sailors, bending to their oars, sent the light boat through the smooth water in a style that would not have discredited a man-o'-war's crew. It was now discovered that the land consisted of two low-lying rocky islets, divided by a narrow channel, the entrance to which was barred by a dangerous reef, over which the waves broke with considerable force; the southmost of the islets terminating in a lofty "sugar-loaf" peak. When within a hundred yards of the shore, Mr Weatherhelm ordered his men to rest on their oars, while he looked out for a likely spot to run the boat ashore. Just then a tall, gaunt man appeared from behind the sugar-loaf rock, and hailing the boat, pointed to a narrow strip of beach some yards away to his left. "You can land there," he shouted, in a husky voice. "Steer between those rocks right ahead of you--port a little--steady! now give way!" The next moment the boat's keel grated on the shingle, and the man ran forward to meet it. He was followed by a lad, apparently about Tom's own age, and a young girl of eleven or twelve, whose long fair hair hung down her back almost to her waist, its golden colour contrasting strangely with her skin, which was so tanned by exposure to the fierce rays of the tropical sun, that the child was as brown as any gypsy. The poor creatures looked thin and careworn; their cheeks were hollow, their eyes were unnaturally bright, and wore an anxious expression of mingled hope and doubt--an expression rarely seen except in the faces of those whose hearts have been sickened by hope long deferred. Their only garments consisted of a sack-like tunic made of goat-skin which reached some inches below the knee, but left the arms and neck bare. With what delight and emotion did the castaways welcome their rescuers! "Are you alone on this island?" inquired Mr Weatherhelm, wrapping his pea-jacket round the girl's shoulders.