ght pass before they
could hope to reach the Auckland Islands, the nearest land Harry
expected to make, and even with the smallest possible allowance of water
sufficient to sustain life, the supply in the casks would not last half
the time. This discovery was indeed a sore trial to the young
commander; still he knew too well the importance of keeping up the
spirits of the party to express his fears aloud. As the sea had now
gone sufficiently down to allow the crew to move about without
difficulty, he directed Dr Davis and Willy to overhaul the provisions,
and ascertain the quantity they had got; and weary as he was, he would
not lie down till this was done. Their report was far less satisfactory
than he had hoped for. A good supply of biscuits and flour had been put
on board; but, unhappily, both had been so completely wetted by the salt
water that the greater part of the flour was a mere mass of dough, and
the biscuits, though at present eatable, would evidently not last many
days. A small hen-coop full of fowls had been placed in the bows; but,
with the exception of two, the poor creatures had been drowned. There
were two casks of salt pork; but, as the doctor whispered to Willy,
without plenty of water and pease pudding to eat it with, salt pork
would prove dangerous food. Four hams were also found, and six Dutch
cheeses, with two kegs of butter.

"Here is a case!" exclaimed Willy. "I wonder what it contains."

It was opened, and within were found a dozen pots of jam.

"Ah, this is more to the purpose," cried the doctor.

"We must keep them, though, for the poor women and children," observed
Willy.

"You are right, Dicey," was the answer. "But we have not yet finished
our search."

There was another case. It only contained pickles. "I am afraid they
will help us but little to keep body and soul together," observed Willy.

"We might have found better food, though they have their value,"
remarked the doctor. "If we can kill some birds, or a seal, or catch a
few fish, they will be very useful."

A large black sack was found, it was full of charcoal.

"This is poor food," said Willy with a sigh.

"Yes, but what is that iron thing in the bows there?" asked the doctor.
It was hauled out, and found to be a small cooking stove. "Ah, this is
indeed a valuable prize," he added. "We may now cook our provisions and
boil our kettle."

"The poor women will be better for some tea, at all events," observed