Part 37 (1/2)

I juot the oars out and put the boat before the seas while we set up the mast and hoisted the sail

The as still in the sa directly from where we supposed Gua it the mate deterh it ht be uninhabited, we should probably find cocoanuts and water, and ht catch soether we ran a great risk of passing between theht be days or weeks beating up to Guaht even pass it after all, while by keeping to the south wefine weather, and finding food on any shore at which we ain there was the risk of falling aes, for the natives of these latitudes were known to be fierce, treacherous, and inhospitable to strangers

We ht, however, possibly meet with some shi+p, as we should cross the course pursued by Spanish vessels sailing froh the Caroline group we should have another long channel to sail over, and must then reach the coast of New Guinea If driven thus far south our prospect of escape was sht obtain food, the people were supposed to be extree and cruel

The doctor, to cheer us, said that he had soh such was the character of the natives of soht treat us kindly should we fall a them, provided we behaved well and showed that ished to be friendly

As we sailed on the sea gradually went down, and at length ere running with a light breeze over the sh at first the warm sun was pleasant it soon became very hot, and while it dried our clothes increased our thirst

At the sa portion of our fish, which becaed to throw it overboard We had now only a fe potatoes and onions, and the little store of biscuits which the doctor had so wisely husbanded

The mate told us that we must make up our minds to live on very short allowance, and be content with a quarter of a biscuit, an onion, and a small piece of raw potato Tothem up to dry in the sun Our food was served out about noon, and each day we sat eagerly waiting for the hour Horner would turn his eyes up and watch the sun till he fancied that it had gained its greatest altitude, and then cry out to the mate--

”It must be twelve o'clock, now, sir Won't Dr cockle look at his watch and see?”

The doctor was the only person who kept his watch wound up The mate had collected all the provisions and placed them in the stern-sheets, and he didn't think fit to tell us how rapidly they were going The quantity he served out was scarcely sufficient to keep body and soul together, but he acted for the best; there was no doubt about that We were all beco for some substantial fare

Horner at last cried out that if he didn't get it he must die Two or three of the otherAs I looked at their faces I felt afraid that they spoke the truth Our limbs were swollen, and we felt so stiff that ere scarcely able to move

”Trust in God, lads,” said the er inclined to spin yarns or sing songs, and only now and then exchanged a feords with each other Not long after this, as I was gazing over the side, I saw a -fish rose froht, and about a dozen pitched into the boat Oh, how eagerly we all stooped down to seize the some more to co the flying-fish, and now ca out for theer the doctor advised that we should split the fish and hang thery to do this, but the mate insisted that all should be handed to hierly devoured

This th

”I told you to trust in God, lads,” said the mate ”See He has sent us these fish, and He'll send usI saw, a hundred yards off, another flight of flying-fish rise froh the air like masses of silver, when, to our joy, a number struck the sail and dropped into the bottom of the boat The mate immediately served out the remainder of those which had at first been sent to us This made the ot into the tropics, we should have an ae quantities of dolphins, bonitos, and albicores, which pursue the flying-fish, and induce theer fish cah Brown, harpoon in hand, stood up as long as he could keep his feet, in the expectation of striking one It was very tantalising to see theet one on board

We had, however, a sufficient nuoodso them in case no more should come aboard, but nearly all hands cried out that ere certain to have soed so hard to have the fish while they were good that the ht we steered south-east, with the wind on our port quarter It was in that direction Mr Griffiths said he knew the islands lay thickest We had a regular watch set, and a bright look-out kept ahead, for we could not tell e ht be knocked to pieces on some uninhabited spot where neither food nor water was to be procured The next day was passed -fish ca in the air in the distance It was drawing towards evening when I saw a black triangular fin, which I knew to be that of a shark, co at?” asked the doctor

I told hiht of the monster's cruel eyes and back a couple of fathoms from the boat I saw by their looks that the men did not like its appearance

”We hab him,” cried Sa this ree brute see us, we thought, as if he expected to make a feast of the whole party

Thehad sufficient food they had somewhat recovered their spirits Still I wished that the shark would take its departure, but it kept on swiside the boat, and as the breeze freshened it made faster way to keep up with us

Brown at last proposed shooting it, for our powder, being in a metal flask, had kept dry, but Mr Griffiths objected to any being expended for the purpose It was a hundred to one that the shark would be killed, he said, and every charge ht, the men cried out that they th allowed Broas a good shot, to try and hit it in a vital part Just, however, as he stood up with the musket in his hands the shark dived and disappeared

”Ah, ha, Jack Shark knohat you going to do Hi,”

said Sam Coal

Shortly after this the sun sank amid a bank of black clouds, and darkness ca very threatening I akened by a splash of water in , I found that the boat was still keeping on her course The sail had been reefed, but it was as ain the sea broke on board The sleepers were all aroused, and we had to bale as fast as we could

Presently the ed”