re,
and, grave and quiet though he was in general, was always ready to romp
with her or tell her the most marvellous tales. Mr Dale had retired to
his cabin and shut himself in. The new arrivals very promptly afforded
their assistance, and in a short time Lance was laid carefully in his
berth, and packed there with flags, shawls, and other yielding materials
in such a way as to prevent the increasing motion of the ship from
causing him any avoidable discomfort.

Dinner that day was a very comfortless meal. By the time that it was
served the sea had risen so much as to render the "fiddles" necessary on
the cabin table, and even with their aid it was difficult to prevent the
viands from being scattered upon the floor. The ship, running before
the wind, and with only the fore-mast to steady her, rolled like a
hogshead, and the act of dining was therefore quite an acrobatic
performance, demanding so much activity of eye and hand as to completely
mar the enjoyment of the good things which, in spite of the weather,
graced the board.

The conversation at table turned naturally upon the disaster which had
befallen the ship; the passengers being all curious to know how it would
affect them.

"I suppose it means another beastly detention," grumbled Dale. "The
ship can't sail all the way to England with only one mast, can she,
captain?"

"Well, scarcely," replied Captain Staunton. "The trip home _might_ be
made under jury-masts; but it would be a longer and more tedious voyage
than any of us would care for, I fancy, and at all events I have no
intention of attempting it. Our nearest port is Otago; but as we are
pretty certain to get westerly winds again as soon as this breeze has
piped itself out, and as the current would also be against us if we
attempted to return to the westward, I shall endeavour to reach
Valparaiso, where we may hope to restore the poor old barkie's clipped
wings."

"Umph! I thought so," snarled Dale. "And how long shall we be detained
at that wretched hole?"

"It will depend on circumstances," answered Captain Staunton, "but I
think you may reckon on being a month there."

"A month!" ejaculated Dale, too much disgusted to say another word.

"A month!" exclaimed Rex Fortescue, "Jolly! I shall explore the Andes
and do a little shooting. I daresay Evelin will join me--or us rather--
for I suppose you will go as well, won't you, Brook?"

"Oh yes, I'll go, certainly; 'tain't often as I has