158 POINT JUDITH. 



line the strength of his tackle would permit, led the 

 man and the fish, floating side by side, into a cove 

 that was in a measure sheltered from the fury of the 

 waves. 



Slowly the line came in ; the man lived, and still 

 clung to it, and although occasionally submerged, 

 managed to sustain himself sufficiently. Nearer and 

 nearer he came, quite close even to the shelving 

 rocks, and twice during a lull could have climbed 

 them in safety, had not his strength been too greatly 

 exhausted. He made a feeble efibrt, still clinging, 

 however, to the line, but was carried back by the 

 receding current, and it became apparent his life 

 depended upon his friend's ability to help him. 



This was no easy matter ; the strain upon the line 

 was excessive, the rocks were wet and slippery, and 

 the sea frequently swept across with resistless force. 

 Shortening the line as much as possible, the friend 

 crept down towards the edge, and taking advantage 

 of the first lull, called to the drowning man to cling 

 fast with his hands for a moment, and rushed down 

 to seize him. The instant, however, the line was 

 relaxed, the water carried away its feeble victim, 

 who was quickly beyond reach. Ere he could be 

 brought back a tremendous wave, resolute to devour 

 its prey, came thundering in ; it rose above points 

 that had projected many feet out of Avater, it dashed 

 in flying spray high up upon those that it could not 

 overwhelm, its crest gleamed and hissed, and witii 

 one mad leap it sprang over the intervening ledges 

 and threw itself upon the fishermen with fearful 



