ly cooked, however, most of the starving party began
to devour them, though Alice waited till the piece intended for her was
done. They were still engaged in cooking the fish, when dark clouds
arose in the east. How anxiously they watched them! One passed over
their heads, then another.

"Here comes the rain," cried the mate. "Heaven be praised!"

The sail was stretched out as before. Down came the blessed rain. The
fire was put out,--which was, however, of minor consequence; and the
almost exhausted voyagers were able to quench their thirst, the cask
being filled before the rain ceased. The cooked and uncooked portions
of the fish were taken on board; and the mate set to work to fit a step
for the mast. This was soon done; and a fresh breeze blowing towards
the shore, the sail was hoisted, and the boat went gliding over the
ocean. How grateful were the hearts of all on board! Food and water
had been amply provided, when the blessing was least expected.

Before night set in, land was clearly seen ahead. The mate was of
opinion that it was an island of no great extent, or a promontory of New
Guinea. Both Nub and Tidy were greatly restored by a night's rest, and
the late ample supply of food they had enjoyed. Mr Shobbrok kept at
the helm nearly the whole time, and only when the wind fell would he
allow Walter to take his place, with the doctor, to keep watch while he
slept. The land-wind, which blew during the morning, tried their
patience; but the sea-breeze at length setting in, they rapidly
approached the shore, which appeared thickly wooded down to the very
edge of the water, with high ground rising at a short distance from it.
A belt of coral, such as is now called a "fringing reef," against which
the sea beat with considerable violence, throwing up a heavy surf,
extended along the shore, making an attempt to land highly dangerous, if
not impossible. The mate accordingly hauling the boat to the wind,
stood to the southward, in the hope of finding some bay or inlet into
which they might run. All eyes were eagerly turned towards the shore.
As they coasted along, no huts or habitations of any kind were seen, nor
was there any appearance of the island being inhabited. The water in
the cask was by this time nearly exhausted, and the uncooked fish began
to exhibit the effects of the hot sun. The day was drawing on, and the
mate felt especially anxious not to have to spend another night at sea.
Just as h