The brave men put forth all their strength, and presently managed to bring their boat near the rock, then suddenly a tremendous wave dashed them back again, and they were almost buried beneath the waters. The boat rose, however, and the men, nowise daunted by the danger and difficulty, again strained every nerve to reach the rock. But a terrible billow again came over them, and this time two of their oars were snapped to pieces. Soon after a receding wave left a space around the rock uncovered, and Robert, eager to reach the sufferers, leaped across. But just then another huge wave swept the boat back, and Mr. Darling's fears were aroused lest they should not be able to get him off again. They made a most strenuous effort once more to get near the rock; and presently, while the perspiration was pouring from their faces, and their arms and backs were aching from fatigue, and they were feeling that they could not keep on much longer, they managed to get near enough to enable Robert, by plunging in the sea, to reach them, the brothers in the boat with great difficulty hauling him in.
"Did you speak to the men, Robert?" asked Mr. Darling, when the young man had a little recovered himself.
"I spoke to one, father; the other is dead!"
"There is but one to save, then?"
"That is all."
"Come my lads, we must get him off, if possible."
"The tide is making fast. If he is not away in an hour or two, his chances will all be gone, for the rock will lie under deep water."
They tried again and again to get near enough to the rock to allow of the man's escape, but they could not succeed.
"Throw him a rope! We can do nothing else."
After several vain attempts, they succeeded in throwing a rope to reach him. The man was so feeble that he seemed scarcely to understand what was going on.