en, however, did not heed him: they were
eager to get hold of a cask of provisions which, with another of water,
Tom told them had been thrown up on the island. The news made even
Emery and Bill inclined to go.

"Go, if you wish it," said the captain; "only come back and bring me
some water, for I am fearfully thirsty."

This made the men no longer hesitate. Peter sat still.

"Are you not going?" asked the captain.

"I could not leave you, sir, while you are suffering," said Peter.

"But you want food and water as much as they do," said the captain.

"They will bring it to me, sir," answered Peter.

Notwithstanding what the captain said, neither Peter nor old Hixon would
leave him. The latter was busily hauling pieces of planking and rope.
Having collected enough for his purpose, he set to work to manufacture a
cradle sufficiently large to contain the captain. Having arranged his
plan he shouted to the other men to come and assist him. Two only,
however, responded, Bill and the black; the remainder were wandering
along the shore, looking out for whatever might be washed up. The black
set the example. Bill followed him back to the rock, but they brought
only a small piece of salted tongue and some biscuits, almost soaked
through, but no water. The captain could only taste a very little, but
there was enough to satisfy Hixon's and Peter's appetites. In vain the
poor captain cried out for water--nothing had been found to carry it in.

"The more reason we should make haste with the cradle," observed Hixon.

It was at length placed on the rope, with a line attached, which Bill
carried across. Peter volunteered to go in it, and safely passed over.
It was then hauled back, and the captain was drawn across. Hixon and
the black followed. By this time the rest of the men had disappeared.
The captain was soon sufficiently revived by the water which had been
obtained to look about him. He told his companions that he believed
they were on one of the many wild rocky islets which exist in that part
of the ocean, and that they must carefully husband the water, as
possibly no spring might be found.

As the captain wished to ascertain whether his surmises were correct,
Peter volunteered to climb to the summit of the height above them. It
was fatiguing and very dangerous work, but he succeeded at length. On
looking around him, he found that they were nearly at one end of a rocky
island, which extended for three or