"

Willy went aft, and made his report in a low voice. Harry opened his
eyes, and tried to listen, but he was already so overcome with fatigue
that he could scarcely understand what was said, and directly Willy had
ceased speaking, he was fast asleep again.

CHAPTER NINE.

THE ADVENTURE OF THE "RANGER'S" BOATS.

A CALM--THE CUTTER SEEN ASTERN--PEOPLE CRY OUT FOR WATER--HARRY TAKES AN
OBSERVATION--THE LAUNCH PUT TO RIGHTS--SQUIDS LEAP ON BOARD--A HAIL FROM
THE CUTTER--HOLT'S SAD CONDITION--PETER BEGS TO JOIN WILLY--LIZARD KILLS
A WHALE--BLUBBER USED AS FUEL--WILD-FOWL SHOT--MRS RUMBELOW VISITS THE
CUTTER--CUTTER'S CREW TRY TO DETAIN MRS RUMBELOW--THE CREWS TAKE TO THE
OARS--MRS RUMBELOW ASSISTS IN ROWING.

When the young commander of the "Ranger's" launch awoke, he found her
floating on a glassy sea. Not a breath of wind filled her sails, though
every now and then a long, low undulation rose beneath her keel, and
went rolling away to the southward. The sun was striking down with
undimmed splendour upon the world of waters. Harry's head had been
sheltered from its burning rays by a shawl which Mrs Rumbelow had
thoughtfully thrown over him. He felt that heavy weight at his heart
which those oppressed with care or sorrow are apt to experience. In a
few minutes, however, after uttering a secret prayer to Heaven for
strength, he was able to cast it off, and arousing himself, sat up to
consider what he had to do. Most of the people, under the
superintendence of the doctor, were employed in drying the tea and
biscuits, and other articles wetted by the salt water. On lines
stretched from the masts were hung up numberless articles of clothing
and bedding. The women were seated in the bottom of the boat; one was
nursing the baby, who appeared still flourishing. Very few were idle.
Mrs Morley and her daughters were setting them a good example, and Mrs
Rumbelow was making her way among them, the most active of the party
with hand and tongue. The doctor was busy for'ard over the stove,
where, with the assistance of the armourer's and carpenter's mates, he
was engaged on some iron work which absorbed his whole attention.
Harry's first impulse was to look out for the other boat. At first he
could not distinguish her, but by the aid of a glass he made out her
sail just rising above the horizon to the eastward; yet it was so
indistinct that, had not Willy and Paul Lizard declared they could make
it out, he might hav