rious craft to manage."

Dick felt somewhat indignant at this remark, though Lord Reginald only
laughed.

"I agree with you, my friend; but we have to choose between being
smothered or burned by the volcano, or making a voyage in her, and I
prefer the latter alternative." On entering the hut, the mate, having
complimented Dick on its comfortable appearance, assured him that he
considered the boat a wonderful structure, and such as he himself would
never have thought of building.

Pierre Didot, the Frenchman, was equally complimentary.

The two shipwrecked men were thankful to lie down and go to sleep, while
Lord Reginald and Dick went along the shore to try and pick up anything
of value which might be cast on the beach. They were rewarded by
discovering another cask of flour and an officer's chest, which among
other things contained a chart of those seas. Had they known their true
position, this would have been of great value, but as they were unable
to ascertain this, the chart would be of little service, till they
reached some land which the mate might recognise.

They possessed, it is true, some nautical instruments, but as they had
no chronometer and no almanac, Lord Reginald had been unable to work out
his observations correctly, though he had instructed Dick in their use.

The chest also contained a flask of gunpowder and a pistol. Some way
further along the beach they picked up three muskets, which had been
jammed into the rack in which they had been fixed, and the whole
together had been washed ashore.

"They are too much injured to be of use, I fear," observed Lord
Reginald.

"Perhaps we can manage to put them straight; at all events we will try,"
answered Dick.

Several other articles, however, were found, two of them being empty
water-casks, which were likely to be of more use than anything else.
They returned to the hut, well laden with their treasures. They found
the two new-comers sitting up, having just awakened, much refreshed by
their sleep.

As soon as Pierre heard of the muskets, he said that he had belonged to
the armourer's crew, and was certain that he could repair them.

Dick having prepared dinner, as soon as it was discussed the whole party
set off to bring in the stores.

"I say, that mate of yours works like a good one," observed Robson to
Dick. "If I ever get the command of a craft, I should like to have you
and him with me."

"Thank you," said Dick, laughing. "I'll te