Part 17 (1/2)

”That's it, Peter; when once the dead o better with us,” he answered

I did not stop to argue the point, but turned to at once with him to form the proposed raft We had plenty of spars below, so that our undertaking was not so difficult as it would have been had we not had a good supply We first cut the placed them side by side, lashed others across on the top of theer as ere to finish our task, we had more than once to stop and rest, for ere both very weak, and I felt a sensation of weariness I had not ever before experienced In fact, ere thoroughly knocked up froh, and the little ti completed the raft and formed soside

”Now, Jim,” I said, ”we must take some provisions, in case there are no people on the island, as we er pull back than weup the captain and put him on the raft”

We quickly collected some provisions, and I took the empty water-jar from the pantry

”What's that for?” asked Jih on shore, surely”

”Yes, but if we have a long pull back to the brig we shall be thankful for water,” I answered

While thus ereat distance hail, ”shi+p ahoy!”

My heart leapt withinto the sidea boat with five ure, who looked like a sea captain, was steering

”Are ye the only people aboard?” he sang out as he saw us

”The only live ones, sir,” answered Jie entleave a look of surprise as he saw the captain's body, and he then, turning to us, appeared more surprised still

”Why, my laddies, what has happened? How did this craft come here?” he asked, in a kind tone

I briefly told him how the masts had been carried away and the people washed overboard, and how the captain had been struck down and afterwards had died, and hoe had kept hi--

”He told us to steer west, sir, and so we did, but we don't knohat country we've come to”

”Why, surely, to Shetland, laddies,” he answered ”But if ye had kept a little farther to the north ye would have passed our islands and run into the Atlantic, and it's weel for ye that ye didna do that And now my men and I will take your craft up the voe and anchor her in safety

We ht carry her to Lerwick, but the weather is unsettled, and she's na weel fitted to encounter another gale, no discredit to ye, laddies”

Our new friend evidently compassionated our forlorn condition; indeed, now that the necessity for exerting ourselves was over, we both sank down utterly exhausted on the deck

The Shetlanders would have carried us below, but we begged to re forward They therefore left us, and having placed the captain's body on the , they proceeded to pull our raft to pieces and to hoist the spars co it on board This done, the four an to tow the brig, while the old gentle, however, a breeze froside, the men hoisted the canvas, and we stood in towards the voe, as the gulf, we found, was called I could just distinguish the high green hills, with here and there grey cliffs and rocks jutting out frorew di's anchor was dropped, and I was just aware that ere being placed in the boat to be carried on shore

When I came to myself I found that I was in a cohtly through the openof the room, which looked neater and prettier than any I had ever slept in

Hearing a footstep, I peered through the curtains, and saw a lady and a little girl cos which they placed on the table

”I think the poor boy is awake, auntie,” whispered the little girl ”I heard hi in his sleep, but I will see,” answered the lady, and she approached the bed

I was looking all the tiel or a fairy, or sohter than I had ever seen before--even than my sister Mary