y kind and considerate to me, that I cannot bear the idea
that you should think ill of me. I owe my life to you. You must
remember that I did not know you, then--"

"I know; I know," answered Dick, laying his hand reassuringly upon hers.
"You acted quite rightly in keeping us all at arm's-length; for, as you
say, you knew none of us then, and could not be expected to discriminate
between one and another. For my own part, I would not have had you act
otherwise than you did; so let us say no more about it. And now, if you
will kindly help me, I think I had better go below and lie down for
awhile. I must take care of myself for both our sakes."

So they went below again; and after Flora had dressed Leslie's wound
afresh, the latter stretched himself out on the cabin lockers and sank
into a refreshing sleep, while the girl busied herself in the
preparation of such nourishing dishes, against his awakening, as the
resources of the wreck afforded.

The following day found Leslie much stronger, and more like himself
again; so much so, indeed, that, despite his fair companion's
protestations, he set to work and got the carpenter's tool-chest on
deck, and busied himself upon the light task of sharpening chisels,
gouges, planes, adzes, axes, and so on; and generally putting everything
in good order against the time when he would want to use them. This,
with occasional periods of vest, occupied him through the whole of that
day; at the end of which he declared himself to be none the worse but
rather the better for his exertions.

The next day Leslie devoted to the task of lifting off the fore hatches
and rigging a light pair of sheers over the hatchway by means of two
pieces of the rail that he detached from the short length of bulwarks
that still remained standing abaft. It was his purpose to give this
part of the brig a thorough overhaul prior to attempting anything else;
hoping that he might find therein something that would enable him to
construct a raft without having recourse to the timber of the ship. And
in this he was successful beyond his utmost hopes; for, among other
matters, he found two stout packing-cases--measuring twenty feet long by
three feet wide by two feet deep--containing long strips of gilt
moulding, such as are used in house decoration. The moulding he
carefully stowed away again--prudent man--not knowing whether in the
future they might not, despite their gaudy appearance, come in useful
for s