y Wilkins eagerly.

The captain at once handed the book to Jack with a smile.

"To be sure," said he, "a philosopher ought to understand the management
of books better than a skipper; but when a book is glued hard and fast
like that, it may puzzle even a philosopher to master its contents."

Jack made the attempt, however. He went to work with the calm
deliberation of a thorough workman. By the aid of heat and gentle
friction and a little moisture, and the judicious use of a penknife, he
succeeded at last in opening the book in one or two places. While he
was thus engaged, the rest of the party supped and speculated on the
probable contents of the book.

"Here is a legible bit at last," said Jack, "but the writing is very
faint. Let me see. It refers to the state of the weather and the wind.
The poor man evidently kept a private journal. Ah! here, in the middle
of the book, the damp has not had so much effect."

As he turned and separated the leaves with great care, Jack's audience
gazed at him intently and forgot supper. At last he began to read:--

"`_Saturday, 4th_.--Have been three weeks now on short allowance. We
are all getting perceptibly weaker. The captain, who is not a strong
man, is sinking. The boat is overcrowded. If a gale should spring up
we shall all perish. I don't like the looks of two of the men. They
are powerful fellows, and the captain and I believe them to be quite
capable of murdering the most of us, and throwing us overboard to save
their own lives.'

"Here there is a blank," said Jack, "and the next date is the 8th, but
there is no month or year given. The writing continues:--

"`I scarce know what has passed during the last few days. It is like
a horrible dream. The two men made the attempt, and killed big
George, whom they feared most, because of his courage and known
fidelity to the captain; but, before they could do further mischief,
the second mate shot them both. The boat floats lighter now, and,
through God's mercy, the weather continues fine. Our last ration was
served out this morning--two ounces of biscuit each, and a wine-glass
of water. _Sunday, 11th_.--Two days without food. The captain read
to us to-day some chapters out of the Bible, those describing the
crucifixion of Jesus. Williams and Ranger were deeply impressed, and
for the first time seemed to lament their sins, and to speak of
themselves as crucifiers of J