Colin, however, more prudent in counsel, cried to him to hold his
hand,--at least until they should give the subject a more thorough
consideration.

On this suggestion they proceeded to debate the point between them. They
were of different opinions, and equally divided. Two,--Terence and Harry
Blount,--were for immediately killing the maherry, and making their
breakfast upon its flesh; while the sailor joined Colin in voting that
it should be reprieved.

"Let us first make use of the animal to help carry us somewhere," urged
the young Scotchman. "We can go without food a day longer. Then, if we
find nothing, we can butcher this beast."

"But what's to be found in such a country as this?" inquired Harry
Blount. "Look around you! There's nothing green but the sea itself.
There isn't anything eatable within sight,--not so much as would make a
dinner for a dormouse!"

"Perhaps," rejoined Colin, "when we've travelled a few miles, we may
come upon a different sort of country. We can keep along the coast. Why
shouldn't we find shell-fish,--enough to keep us alive? See,--yonder's a
dark place down upon the beach. I shouldn't wonder if there's some
there."

The glances of all were instantly directed towards the beach,--excepting
those of Sailor Bill. His were fixed on a different object; and an
exclamation that escaped him--as well as a movement that accompanied
it--arrested the attention of his companions, causing them to turn their
eyes upon him.

"Shell-fish be blow'd," cried Bill, "here's something better for
breakfast than cowld oysters. Look!"

The sailor, as he spoke, pointed to an oval-shaped object, something
larger than a cocoa-nut, appearing between the hind legs of the maherry.

"It's a shemale!" added he, "and's had a calf not long ago. Look at the
'eldher,' and them tits. They're swelled wi' milk. There'll be enough
for the whole of us, I warrant yez."

As if to make sure of what he said, the sailor dropped down upon his
knees by the hind-quarters of the prostrate camel; and, taking one of
the teats in his mouth, commenced drawing forth the lacteal fluid which
the udder contained.

The animal made no resistance. It might have wondered at the curious
"calf" that had thus attached himself to its teats; but only at the
oddness of his color and costume; for no doubt it had often before been
similarly served by its African owner.

"Fust rate!" cried Bill, desisting for a moment to take breath. "Ayqual
t