tion of this singular
phenomenon. It was the flour that was causing such a "stoor." The
movement of the ship had shaken out the canvas rag with which I had
stopped the vent, and the flour was escaping. No doubt this was the
cause of the wastage.

The idea that all the flour would be lost rushed into my mind, and, as a
consequence, that I should once more be forced to return to the rat
diet. It would be necessary, therefore, to ascend to the sack, and stop
the wastage at once.

Notwithstanding some apprehensions I had on the score of suffocation, I
perceived the necessity of action; and closing both mouth and eyes, I
scrambled as fast as I could towards the empty bonnet-box.

I felt flour lodged on all sides as I went up, but I fancied it was no
longer showering downwards. This was in reality the fact; for on
reaching the bonnet-box, I found that it had ceased to run out of the
sack, and for the best of reasons--it was now all out of it. The sack
was empty!

Perhaps I should have regarded this as a greater misfortune, but I saw
that the flour was not all lost. A good deal, no doubt, had filtered
through the crevices, and got down to the bottom of the hold; but a
large quantity--as much as I would be likely to need--had lodged upon
the pieces of cloth that I had placed in the bottom of the triangular
cavity, and also in other places where I could get at it whenever I
wanted.

It mattered little, however; for in another moment I had made a
discovery that drove all thoughts of the flour out of my head, and
rendered any calculation about my future provision--either of food or
water--a subject of the most trifling importance.

I had stretched up my hand to ascertain if the sack was quite empty. It
appeared so. Why, then, should I not pull it through the aperture, and
get it out of the way? No reason why I should not; and I at once
dragged it down, and flung it behind me.

I then raised my head through the end of the box into the space where
the sack had lain.

Merciful heavens! What did I behold? _Light! light! light_!

CHAPTER SIXTY THREE.

LIGHT AND LIFE.

Yes, my eyes were once more cheered with heavenly light, producing
within my heart a joy sudden and complete. I could not describe the
happiness I felt. Every fear at once forsook me. I had no longer the
slightest apprehension. I was saved!

The light I saw was but a very slender beam--a mere ray--that appeared
to penetrate through a c