me figs and cheese they got down the
limpets very well; but both figs and cheese came to an end, and they
both felt that they were getting very weak.

"If we don't take care we shall starve," said Bill.

"We must do something or other. I don't see anything but trying to get
on board a lugger, as we talked of; but then in searching for her we
should run the chance of being made prisoners again."

"You must come round to my plan, and run off with a boat of some sort,"
said Jack.

"That's just what I cannot do," said Bill.

"It's either that or starving," said Jack.

"We should have to get food first, even if we did run off with a boat,"
observed Bill. "It would never do to put to sea without something to
eat. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll try and make my way back to
Captain Turgot's. It cannot be far from this. I'll ask them to give us
some food. They are sure to do that, though they might not like hiding
us; and perhaps they might tell us of some boat in which we could get
off without the owner being the worse for the loss. If you'll stay
here, I'll go this very evening as soon as the tide is out. I calculate
that I should have time to get there and back before the flood is up;
and I'm not afraid of being refused, at all events." Jack wanted to go
too; but Bill urged that one was less likely to be discovered than two,
and that it would be better for him to go alone. Jack at last agreed to
this, and directly the sand appeared below the mouth of the cavern, Bill
set out.

CHAPTER NINE.

VISIT TO CAPTAIN TURGOT'S COTTAGE.

As it was growing dusk, Bill had no fear of being seen as he made his
way from the cavern. He felt rather weak, but he had a brave heart, and
pushed on. He had some rough rocks to climb over, and others he managed
to get round, walking through the water where it was not too deep.
Sooner than he expected he reached the bay near which the Turgots'
cottage was situated. To avoid the other cottages and huts he had to
make a wide circuit.

He cautiously crept up towards the back of his friends' dwelling; then,
keeping close to the wall, he looked in through the window of the room
in which the family generally sat.

Jeannette was alone, spinning as usual, but looking somewhat pensive.

Bill tapped at the window, and Jeannette looked up.

"May I come in?" he asked in French.

Jeannette came to the window.

"Who are you?" she inquired.

"What! don't you know me?" said Bil