f
packing-cases and empty casks and barrels that were floating about, the
flotsam and jetsam of the cargo.

"Papa," said she, speaking low in order that none of the others could
hear her, "did you see anything of the long-boat, or of the men who went
away in her, when you were looking round the coast this morning--I
forgot to ask you before."

"No, my dear," he answered. "There was not a trace of them, as far as I
could see with the glass; either along the shore in the direction in
which we are going now, or down to the southwards off there to the
right!"

"Do you think they have landed in safety, papa?"

"Hardly, Kate. There was a terrible squall which came on shortly after
they deserted us, and I believe they must have gone down in it. But,
why do you ask the question, my dear? I don't suppose you have much
sympathy with the treacherous scoundrels!"

"No, papa," said she; "but I thought that if we got on shore at the same
place that they did there might be a quarrel, or that something dreadful
would happen; and I'm sure we had enough of horrors on board the poor
old ship!" and Kate shuddered, as she spoke, at the recollection.

"You need not be afraid of that, my dear," replied her father kindly.
"If the mutineers have managed to run in the boat anywhere during the
frightful sea that was on at the time they deserted us, it must have
been miles away from any spot near here, for the wind was blowing in
quite the contrary direction. Besides, my child, only a few could have
saved their lives; so that, in case we should ever come across them,
they would be quite powerless against the strong force we have now to
oppose them, in the very impossible event of their trying to molest us.
I hope, however, that we may not meet."

"Isn't it shocking," observed Kate presently, as if reflecting over what
had happened, "to think that, companions in misfortune as we are, we
should be so anxious now to avoid them!"

"Yes," replied her father; "but the fact only exhibits a common phase of
human nature, and thus affords but another proof of the inherent
selfishness of the animal man. Wickedness, my child, ever begets
wickedness!" Mr Meldrum then lapsed again into silence.

The raft proceeded but very slowly, in spite of the exertions of the
towing party in the jolly-boat. This was on account of the current and
the tideway neutralising each other, instead of being both in their
favour, as Mr Meldrum had expected; so, in