When he reached the reef he swam in under the rock, and there awaited the bore. As soon as the water had subsided he made a few vigorous strokes, and crossed the opening without losing a foot of ground. Adopting the same plan at the next opening, he passed it with equal success.
"He knows how to go about it," said one of the men on the shore.
"And he's a powerful swimmer."
"He'll be as fresh as a daisy when he gets to number seven."
"Ay, but how is he to get through number seven?" asked Bence, who had by this time been restored to consciousness, and comforted with warm dry clothes and brandy.
"Leave it to him. When a man makes a good beginning like that, it isn't for any one to doubt him until he shows that he's beat. That's what I say."
"And what I say," retorted Bence, "is, that no one who has not been in one of the guts does not know what they are."
"Well, we sha'n't be much longer in doubt; he's at number seven now."
From the time Cheyne left the shore, he had not, owing to his keeping so close to the rocks, been able to see even the topmast of the Seabird.
He paused under the last rock for awhile--not to rest himself, for he felt no fatigue, but to consider what he should do.