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24 "I reckon you two want to keep together," said Dawson, as we reached his side. "I can't blame you, but"

"Don't put those two landlubbers in one boat!" roared Captain Kenny. "It's bad enough to have 'em at all. Put one in your boat and one in Brown's," indicating the second mate.

"Oh, can't we go together?" I whispered to Dawson.

"We ought to have at least four experienced sailors in each boat," was the mate's reply. "Do as the captain commanded, and we'll see if we can't keep the small boats together."

And with this he shoved Dan into his own boat and turned me back to join the party under Watt Brown, the second mate.

My heart now beat more painfully than ever. "Good-by, Dan, if we don't meet again!" I said huskily.

"Good-by, Oliver," he answered. "Oh, if only we could go together!" And then we parted in the darkness, and I scuttled for the boat that was already awaiting me.

How we ever got over the Dart's side and away from the settling schooner I cannot describe to this day. Amid the roar of thunder and the flashing of lightning, the small boat was swung out. Three sailors were at the oars, while