y more of de biscuits," said
Nub. "De next food I take will be one of de fowls."

"But how can you light a fire to cook them?" asked Alice.

"I eat dem raw! Much better eat dem dan die."

Poor Alice shuddered. Nub knew that it was high time to kill one of the
fowls, for though their troughs were full of food when he lowered the
coop on to the raft, it had long since been exhausted. Alice turned her
head aside when Nub put one of the fowls out of its misery, and eagerly
drank up the blood to quench the burning thirst from which he was
suffering. He did not offer her any, as he knew that while any wine and
water remained she would not touch it. He felt in better spirits, and
much stronger, after this meal.

He also imbibed some of the hope which inspired Alice, that they might
be relieved before long. Still, when the sun went down again, and the
night once more began, his spirits drooped. He could no longer keep
awake as he had done on the previous night, and as soon as she had
closed her eyes his head began to nod, and he fell asleep. He slept
soundly, for the raft moved quietly about. Nothing occurred for several
hours to disturb him. At length he was startled by a loud peal of
thunder. He looked up. The sky was overcast; a vivid flash of
lightning darted from the clouds, followed by another terrific peal,
which awoke Alice.

"Oh! what is the matter?" she exclaimed.

"A thunderstorm," he answered. "But de sea calm, and de lightning not
hurt us." It required firm faith, however, to believe that such would
not be the case.

At times the whole heavens were lighted with vivid flashes, while the
thunder roared and crashed on every side. This continued for some time.
Nub stood up and looked around him, Alice saw him gazing intently to
windward; she rose and took his hand.

"What is it you see?" she asked.

"It may be only de white top of a wave," he answered.

There was a cessation of the lightning in that part of the heavens for a
minute or more, but Nub kept looking steadily in the same direction.
Presently another vivid flash darted across the sky, lighting up a wide
portion of the ocean.

"Dere! dere now! I see it again!" exclaimed Nub. "Yes, Missie Alice,
yes, dat is a sail; I am sure of it. Dere it gone again; but you will
see it soon, if you look with all your eyes." Alice did look with might
and main, waiting for another flash. Presently the heavens were lighted
up more brilliantly t