f good weather. But there could be no such
assurance, and a disturbance meant the same fate that overtook the
mutineers.

It is not at all unlikely, too, that the presence of little Inez
Hawthorne increased this timidity. Had they been without her, they
would not have hesitated to take great risks, but, somehow or other,
her life was inestimably precious in their eyes, and they would never
have forgiven themselves had any ill befallen her through their
dereliction of duty.

"There is a mystery about her life which shall yet be cleared up," Abe
Storms frequently remarked; "and we must not do aught that shall
endanger or delay the solution of the question."

There were comparatively few stores which the schooner had left them
before its final departure, and the survivors were forced to rely
mainly upon what the island afforded. Of course there were fish in
abundance, and they frequently rowed out in the lagoon in the tender,
or small boat, or cast out their lines from shore, and never failed in
a short time to catch all they wanted.

The spring of clear, cool water bubbled and trickled steadily, and
never failed them. And the several species of tropical fruits about
them were used sparingly, the men having the prudence to seek to
prevent the supply giving out.

It was a great relief to Storms and Bergen to find, after the most
thorough exploration they could make, that there were no poisonous
reptiles upon the island.

"We may as well face the situation," said Captain Bergen, after they
had held frequent consultations; "we have been here five weeks now,
and we haven't caught sight of the first sail, with the exception of
our own, which has gone to the bottom, and it may be that weeks and
months more may pass before we shall see another."

"It is not unlikely that it may be years," added Storms, gravely;
"for, according to the narrative of Grebbens himself, he was here a
long time before he was taken away. The wisest thing we can do is to
prepare ourselves for an indefinite stay."

A long time before, the captain had laboriously climbed the mast which
was erected in the sand by the inlet, and had securely fastened an old
garment to the highest point. There it was still, fluttering in the
wind, when there was enough breeze to raise the irregular folds, but,
alas! it had not brought the friendly sail which they longed for, and
they had been forced at last to look upon an extended residence upon
the island as not o