body up, were about to let it over the side, when the latter
exclaimed, "Stay! his jacket and shirt will be of use in making a sail.
It's our only chance of reaching the shore." The garments were taken
off the body, which was then committed to the deep; and although without
any weight attached, it immediately sank beneath the surface. Not a
word was spoken. The surgeon did not think for a moment of going
through the mockery of a service; but they all lifted up their hearts in
prayer that they might be preserved.

The boat continued drifting before the land-wind further and further
from the shore, till all hope of reaching it was lost. Alice, who was
seated with her brother gazing across the ocean, perhaps in the
expectation of catching sight of an approaching sail, suddenly
exclaimed, "Look--look! Walter! what can that be?"

"A piece of wreck," he answered; "or it's one of the rafts."

The boat was drifting directly towards it. The rest of the party turned
their eyes in the direction Walter and Alice were looking.

"It's our raft," exclaimed Mr Shobbrok, getting out the broken oar.
"Walter, take the helm and steer as I tell you." They quickly neared
the raft. "Heaven be praised!" exclaimed the mate, as they got close to
it; "the sail and mast are still there, and also the two oars."

The boat was made fast to the raft, and the mate, with the assistance of
Walter and Tidy, lifted the mast, yard, and sail into the boat, with the
two oars. The chest, being securely lashed, still remained. The mate
quickly opened it, and took out the tools likely to prove most useful,
with an ample supply of nails. Scarcely had they been transferred to
the boat, when Alice, who had been the harbinger of good tidings,
exclaimed, "See! see that large fish!" Walter seized one of the
harpoons, and handed it to the mate, The fish was swimming round close
to the raft; the harpoon flew from the grasp of the mate, and he calling
to Tidy to help him, they together in another minute brought to the
surface a large bonito, which was quickly hauled on to the raft. Poor
Nub, who had hitherto scarcely been able to open his languid eyes,
dragging himself up, exclaimed, "We cook it on de raft for Missie
Alice."

The suggestion was acted upon, and the lighter portions of the raft,
which were sufficiently dried to serve as fuel, were cut up. The fire
being kindled, large slices of the meat were arranged round it. Before
they were thorough