pt back into the tent, and in spite of the storm was quickly asleep.
Day had broken for some time when I awoke; the rain had ceased, though
the sky was still cloudy. I found the men trying to light a fire with
the damp wood and leaves they had collected, but it was a somewhat
difficult task. My father, accompanied by Mudge, had gone up to the top
of the cliff to look out for the brig, but from the loud roar of the
breakers on the bar and along the coast I had but little hope that they
would see her. The storm, however, quickly passed away, the sun
breaking out from amid the clouds which rolled off to the southward. I
awoke my younger companions, who had slept through the whole of it, and
were very much astonished to find the ground wet and the sea still
roaring in a voice of thunder.

My mother's tent having been securely put up, had withstood the wind, as
had the others; indeed, constructed as they were, they could not be
blown down or disturbed unless the pegs had been drawn out of the
ground.

I found my mother and Edith sitting just inside their tent, waiting for
my father's return.

"The utter destruction of the brig will be a sore trial to him," she
observed; "and he has no hope that she can have escaped; so we must do
our best to keep up his spirits, and to show him that we are contented
with our lot. I feel such unbounded gratitude to Heaven for his having
been induced to come on shore last night, that the destruction of the
vessel appears to me a mere trifle; and I am sure that you and Pierce
will do your best to induce the rest to obey his directions."

"That we will, mother; and so, I am sure, will Harry," said Pierce, who
was with me; "so will Tommy Peck and Dicky Popo: and if they don't,
we'll make them."

The men had succeeded in lighting a fire; and just as breakfast was
ready my father and Mudge came in sight. They shook their heads as they
drew near.

"Not a vestige of the brig remains," said my father, with a sigh. "I
trust that, if we can get to Sydney, we shall recover our insurance; but
I had hoped till the last to save her and the cargo. We have happily
secured a good store of provisions and ammunition; and I propose forming
a settlement in this neighbourhood, and, having become acquainted with
its inhabitants, the nature of the country, and the wild animals which
may afford us food, ultimately to send an expedition overland to Sydney.
When we have gained experience, we shall have bu