THE BEATING OP THE JACKS. 



119 



The others were laughing loudly over his 

 predicament, but they managed to release him, 



and again Tom lost 

 his hold upon the 

 line. The rope was 

 nearly run out now, 



and as the piece of wood to which 



it was attached dashed over the 



side Tom seized it, lost his balance, 



and with, the end of the rope in his hand went 



headlong, with a great splash, over the bow of 



the boat. 



