THE ISLE OF BIRDS. 197 



The water gradually became deeper, but, 

 owing to its clearness, they were enabled to dis- 

 tinguish small objects at a depth of nearly fifty 

 feet. 



They had almost neared the stake buoy, 

 where they crossed the channel, and were about 

 to resume the oars, when Harry cried " Stop ! 

 back water ! see what that is on the bottom." 



Peering over, the others saw lying in the 

 short grass, and hardly distinguishable except to 

 a keen eye, a long, dark object. 



" Can you make it out ? " asked Tom, strain- 

 ing his head over so far that the boat tipped. 



" It looks like a log, or a piece of boom or 

 mast," said Dick. 



" I'm going to find out what it is." So say- 

 ing, Tom began pulling off his outer clothing. 

 " Stand by with your grains and don't let the 

 sharks eat me," he said. 



" There are no sharks here," retorted Long 

 John. 



" Hold on, then," said Dick, " and 111 go with 



you." 



The boys were soon ready, and while the 



