"Tim, where are you?" called out Elwood, not seeing his friend.
"Here, to the left," responded the Irishman, as he rose on a huge swell. "Can ye swim to me?"
"I hope so, but my clothes bother me like creation."
Strange! that not one of the three had once thought of removing their superfluous clothing before jumping into the ocean. But Elwood was a fine swimmer, and he struggled bravely, although at a great disadvantage, until his outstretched hand was seized by the Irishman, and he then caught hold of the settee and rested himself.
"Where is Howard?" he asked, panting from his exertions.
"Here he is," responded Howard himself. "I struck the water so close that when I came up my hand hit the settee."
"I tell you what it is," said Elwood. "We ought to have brought something else with us beside this. We have got to keep all of our bodies underwater for this to bear us."
"And what of it?"
"Suppose some poor fellow claims a part. Gracious! here comes a man this minute!"
"We can't turn him off," said Tim, "but this owld horse has all the grist he can carry."