latable, and contributed to allay the pangs of hunger. The remainder
he gave to Nep, who eagerly gobbled it up, showing how hungry he had
become.

That the eggs were laid by birds, he had no doubt, though of what
species they were he was unable to determine. He resolved, however, to
return next morning, and to wait near the spot, supposing that they must
be large birds, and that he should be able to kill one, which would
afford him ample food for a day or two. "I shall then be as well off as
that fellow Hargrave," he thought to himself, "and I at all events shall
be independent of him."

Having finished his supper, he commenced making a bow. One only of the
sticks appeared suitable for the purpose. On bending it, back it sprang
with considerable force. While still working away by the light of his
waning fire, sleep so completely overpowered him, that he let fall his
knife, and the stick of his bow by his side, while his head bent down
over his breast. When he awoke, his fire was almost out, and as he
could see to work no more, he crept back into his cave, where he lay
down to sleep, with Nep, as usual, by his side.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

A TRYING TIME--THE FATAL CRASH--BEN RUDALL'S LAST EFFORT--AMONG THE
BREAKERS--THROWN ON SHORE--THE FIRST SHELTER--THE CARPENTER'S CHEST--
SETTING TRAPS--A VERY SATISFACTORY MEAL--VISIT OF NEP--A PRESENT FOR
LORD REGINALD--DICK BUILDING HIS HUT--MEETING OF THE RIVAL CRUSOES--
SUPPLIES STOPPED--COLLECTING STORES--BOAT-BUILDING--USEFUL EMPLOYMENT OF
TIME--CONSTRUCTING A COT--THE MEGAPODES--A CROSSBOW.

We must now go back to the night of the shipwreck. Dick, with Ben
Rudall and several other men, had been stationed forward, and remained
at their posts when land was first seen under the lee.

"There'll be a watery grave for most of us," said Ben when the cry arose
of "Land, land!" often so cheering to seamen, but on the present
occasion of such dreadful import.

"We must have a struggle for our lives, at all events," said Dick.
"Better than going down in mid-ocean, without a plank to cling to."

"You don't know what a surf like that breaking on a lee-shore under your
lee can do!" observed an old salt, who stood holding on to the bulwarks
with one hand, while he searched for a quid of tobacco with the other.

"They would grind up a stout ship like this in a few minutes if she
strikes. It can't be helped; I'll take one chaw, though it may be my
last, and I only wish that I c