The Gayton Scholarship

the coast becomes rugged and dangerous. When the tide is out, the rocks form a favourite playground for the boys of the neighbourhood, as also, at the time of ou

everal feet. The tower itself is so old that its origin was a matter for dispute among many learned men. Some said it had been built as a lighthouse; others that it was a real fort; while a third party dec

ere at dusk. The notice-board marked "Dangerous" and the warning to trespassers added spice to their enjoyment. Now and again it

pened; the last one, in fact, was beyond

layed many a game both on the rocks and at the Fo

coming down with th

my enough on the way down, but he brightened up at the boys' welcome, and threw himself heartily into the gam

warriors performed prodigies of valour; but the enemy were too strong, and after a desperate fight succeeded in storming the outworks and putting the garrison to the sword. Then the Angel,

me of "I spy!" among the rocks, t

ere's Braithwaite!-Come on, Dandy, and have a game! 'Twi

who did not often join in these ro

of foot and heart and, I am afraid, somewhat light of head. Indeed it was partly owing

now, and the tide, though still some distance out, was flowing shoreward. Some of the boys, wishing

ck Boden made his u

"See this knife? I'll hide it somewhere i

e dark," object

to see the kni

o, and you know how fast

ly; "don't take any notice of him: he

Jim Hartland," he said, "but you're no braver than

France if the sea was all dry land. Make haste, Dick

n disappeared in the ruin, and present

to be first, put out his hand to push Braithwaite aside; whereupon the latter, evidently thinkin

out, my amateur detectives, and search for the lost property. Well done, Dandy; you

ing in hunting for the knife and listening to Dick's nonsense. Laughing and joking, he

at all!" grumbled Tom Moon at la

im suddenly; "I believe th

huckled the Angel, preparing to run.

nearest the bridge came a shout of "Ma

he Fort, and a considerable time passed before he could scr

lled the bay; the waves were washing the bridge and increasing in violence every second. Dick

? I think not. I'll climb to the top of the tower till t

again, he exclaimed, "Good gracious! what's that fool of a Braithwaite doing? He'll be washed off for cer

ard, was overwhelmed by the startling suddenness of the danger. He could not swim, and the possibility of being drowned unnerved h

ly through, but he did not try. In vain the boys on shore sho

," with a sudden rush of memory, "it's all my fault. I

Braithwaite, come back; it's quite safe here!" But it a

Jim cut the laces of his boots, slipped them off, and put them in a safe place. Then he

Braithwaite!" he y

now. The sky had darkened. Across the bay the great white sea-horses were leaping madly at th

right overhead, and for an instant the town was lit up by a vivid illumination. Jim staggered on, barely able to keep his footing now, for the wash of the waves reached

Braithwaite," he

ther, scarcely recovered from her illness, and of his helpless sister; but most of all he thought that, but for

y that Jim has never forgotten and is never likely to forget it. That which he dreaded from the firs

ght sight for a moment of the boy's head above the waves. He was taking a terrible risk, but he could not see him drown;

dvice was futile. Braithwaite was sinking a second time, and not realizi

ocking the clinging arms. Then, dragging the almost lifeless boy, he rose

d, Jim turned over on his back. Twice he called loudly for help, but no voice re

e scanty progress, and before long felt that he must go down. Still, he never

e as if beaten with heavy hammers, he gasped for br

And surely that was Dicky'

e recognized the words now-"Jim! Jim! where are you?"-and p

ould be too late. His strength

to you. Look at the star! It's getting bigger and brighter. It's coming

keeping himself and his silent companion af