The next moment he had thrown off his coat and waistcoat, and before anyone quite realised what he was about to do, he had dived into the water, and, with swift and powerful strokes, was making for the struggling dog. Instantly there was a tremendous commotion, and the cry of “Man overboard!” resounded from end to end of the mighty vessel, while orders to reverse the engines and to lower a boat were issued immediately. What was refused for the sake of a mere dog, dared not be denied to a man, and every effort was at once made to overtake the plucky swimmer, who was swiftly nearing the object he was striking for. A boat was manned and lowered with astonishing quickness, and amid the suppressed cries of some, and the encouraging shouts of others, the rowers bent to their work, and gave speedy promise of succour. What a race for life that was! And what a shout went up from the deck of the ocean racer when Mr. Cory was seen to reach the dog, which must have been at its last gasp when he seized it, for it was limp and motionless now. This was deemed a very fortunate thing by the spectators, some of whom had feared that the drowning animal’s struggles might impede the rescuer’s movements. A few minutes more, and the boat reached the plucky swimmer, who, together with the dog, was hauled in, amid the enthusiastic plaudits of the excited onlookers, many of whom, however, thought that help for the starving animal had come too late. But Mr. Cory had no notion of giving up hope, and clung tenaciously to his prize, although assured that it was dead. And so it seemed for a time, but there were plenty of people willing to aid in completing the good work, and as much pains was bestowed upon the resuscitation of the insensible brute as if it had been a human being. When at last the poor thing opened its eyes, the joy on board the steamer was almost unanimous, and if the ship’s surgeon had not asserted his rights, it would have been forthwith killed with kindness, inasmuch as it would have been plied with food which its stomach was too weak to take. Meanwhile, the vessel proceeded on her way, as soon as the boat was hoisted up, and Mr. Cory went to change his wet clothes for dry ones. When he came on deck again some time later he was rejoiced to find that the dog, which he forthwith christened “Briny,” was making steady progress towards recovery, and that he was already, after his own fashion, giving grateful acknowledgment of the attentions lavished upon him by Annie and the surgeon. He proved to be a large Newfoundland, and would, no doubt, soon recover his wonted size, strength, and beauty. The only person who looked coldly on Mr. Cory after this exploit was the captain, who could not forgive the trick that had been played upon him, and who would not have deemed the lives of twenty dogs a sufficient equivalent for the loss of time spent in saving them.