in the drying process, and indeed,
was sometimes eaten in its dried condition, when it was inconvenient to
cook it. In a few minutes, therefore, the supper was ready, and, in a
few minutes more, it was disposed of--for strong jaws, sound teeth and
good appetite make short work of victuals.

By that time the night had set in; the gale was moderating; the stars
had come out, and there seemed every prospect of a speedy and favourable
change in the weather. With darkness came the wolves and other
creatures of the night, both furred and feathered. Against the former
the party was protected by the steep ascent and the barricade, but the
latter kept swooping down out of darkness, ever and anon, glaring at
them for a moment with round inquiring eyes and sweeping off, as if
affrighted, in unearthly silence.

Little heed was paid to these sights and sounds, however, by our
adventurers, who were filled with sadness at the loss of their ship and
comrades.

They spoke but little during the meal, and, after partially drying
themselves, lay down with their feet towards the fire, and almost
instantly fell asleep. Being trained to a hardy life, they did not feel
the want of couch or covering, and healthy exhaustion prevented dreams
from disturbing their repose.

Gradually the fire died down; the howling of the wolves ceased; the
night-birds betook them to their haunts, and no sound was heard in or
around the camp except the soft breathing of the sleepers and the
booming of the distant waves.

CHAPTER SIX.

FIRST ANXIETIES AND TROUBLES.

The day that followed the wreck was well advanced before the sleepers
awakened.

Their first thoughts were those of thankfulness for having escaped with
life. Then arose feelings of loneliness and sorrow at the sad fate of
the crew of the _Penelope_, for though it was just possible that some of
their comrades had reached the shore on the beach that extended to the
westward, such an event was not very probable. Still the bare hope of
this induced them to rise in haste. After a hurried breakfast on the
remnants of the previous night's supper, they proceeded along the coast
for several miles, carefully searching the shores of every bay.

About noon they halted. A few scraps of the dried meat still remained,
and on these they dined, sitting on a grassy slope, while they consulted
as to their future proceedings.

"What is now to be done?" asked the captain of Bladud, after they had
been