When he rose to the surface and cleared the water from his eyes, he found a rope within reach, and very quickly clambered on board, nothing the worse for his unexpected bath. In a few more moments, Stephanus Groblaar with Clarence and Fred were also pulled up safely from the shark-infested waves. The two friends had seen the accident which caused Ned and Stephanus to tumble overboard, and without a pause they had sprung in also. It was lucky for the Boer that they did this, also that they were such expert swimmers, as it appeared he could not swim a stroke. Indeed, he was almost drowned before they could get hold of him. It had happened as before, through his unfortunate giddiness; this time Ned had instinctively made a clutch at him and pulled him over, otherwise he might only have fallen to the deck. When Stephanus recovered his senses, he enquired anxiously who had saved his life, and, when told that it was Clarence and Fred, he expressed his gratitude in a few heartfelt words, and vowed that he would never forget this great service. He also said how sorry he was to have imperilled the life of Ned, and hoped he would forgive him. Ned treated the matter as a first-class joke, but told Stephanus that he should avoid open spaces near the sea, since he could not swim, and mountain ledges, since he could not fly. "For myself, I am as much at home in the water as on dry land; so also are my chums. It was much more dangerous, however, at Madeira." "I trust this may be my last attack of giddiness," answered Stephanus, huskily. "It is the extra fine living on board ship which must have made me bilious, I think." "Funny, isn't it, that you should have been seized twice when near me?" remarked Ned, unsuspiciously. The young Boer shot a rapid and furtive glance at Ned, but seeing how open he looked, he smiled and held out his hand. "It was lucky for me both times that you were in front of me, if not so for you. In a sense you have also saved my life, Edward Romer." "Not at all; only you ought to learn to swim." "And fly," added Fred, who was standing beside them. For the rest of the voyage Stephanus had no more giddy attacks, and his young friends quickly forgot the accidents. The Boer, however, did not forget his obligations. He was more profuse in his expressions towards Ned; yet if quieter towards the others, he attached himself more to them, and showed by many signs that he liked them better than he appeared to like Ned. Thus the days passed pleasantly until they dropped anchor at Cape Town, and went ashore to begin their new life. CHAPTER FIVE. AMONGST THE CAPE BOERS. The first week at Cape Town shook them up more than years of living in England could have done. They had been only boys when they first sighted Table Mountain, but in a week's time they felt and acted like men. "It is a queer place, this Cape Town," observed Ned, as they walked through the streets, and looked about them.