n the
mainland; or if seen, the signal has been disregarded; while to seaward,
no ship or other vessel has been observed--nought but the blank blue of
ocean, recalling their crime--in its calm tranquillity mocking their
remorse!

Repentant are they now; and if they could, willingly would they undo
their wicked deed--joyfully restore the stolen gold--gladly surrender up
their captives--be but too glad to bring back to life those they have
deprived of it.

It cannot be. Their victims left aboard the barque must have long ago
gone to the bottom of the sea. In its bed they are now sleeping their
last sleep, released from all earthly cares; and they who have so
ruthlessly consigned them to their eternal rest, now almost envy it.

In their hour of agony, as hunger gnaws at their entrails, and thirst
scorches them like a consuming fire, they reck little of life--some even
desiring death!

All are humbled now. Even the haughty Gomez no longer affects to be
their leader, and the savage Padilla is tamed to silent inaction, if not
tenderness. By a sort of tacit consent, Harry Blew has become the
controlling spirit--perhaps from having evinced more humanity than the
rest. Now that adversity is on them, their better natures are brought
out, and the less hardened of them have resumed the gentleness of
childhood's days.

The change has been of singular consequence to their captives. These
are no longer restrained, but free to go and come as it pleases them.
No more need they fear insult or injury; no rudeness is offered them
either by speech or gesture. On the contrary they are treated with
studied respect, almost with deference. The choicest articles of food--
bad at best--are apportioned to them, as also the largest share of the
water; fortunately, sufficient of both to keep up their strength. And
they in turn have been administering angels--tender nurses to the men
who have made all their misery!

Thus have they lived up till the night of the ninth day since their
landing on the isle; then a heavy rainfall, filling the concavity of the
boat's sail, enables them to replenish the beaker, with other vessels
they had brought ashore.

On the morning of the tenth, a striking change takes place in their
behaviour. No longer athirst, the kindred appetite becomes keener,
imparting a wolf-like expression to their features. There is a ghoulish
glance in their eyes, as they regard one another, fearful to
contemplate--even