ching season must have passed, and the young birds grown strong on
the wing, and have flown away.

It was a great disappointment. As it was, I had had my difficult and
tiring scramble for nothing, and had bruised my arm, though happily I
had not broken it. I had also lost my boat-hook. I climbed to the
higher part of the rock, and had a look at the land, which I judged was
ten or twelve miles off at least. Still I hoped to accomplish that
distance long before dark, and to find a harbour, as I supposed there
was one, or it was not likely that the beacon could have been placed on
the rock. I therefore, without further delay, began my return journey.
As I went along, I found that some places where I had crossed had become
much deeper. At length it occurred to me that the tide was rising. I
had regained sight of my boat, which at a distance could not be
distinguished from the black rocks, when it suddenly appeared to me that
she was moving. I rushed on at the risk of breaking my legs. What was
my dismay at seeing that she was already at a considerable distance from
the rock where I had left her, and there seemed every probability that I
should lose her altogether. In my terror I shouted and shrieked to her
to stop. I was on the point of rushing into the water to try and
overtake her when I saw a black fin glide by, followed by another, and
the wicked eye of a shark glanced up at me, daring me to venture on the
undertaking. My despair overcoming me, I sank down on the rock.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

My adventures on the rock--My search for food, and what I found--The
storm--Despite my perilous position, I marvel at the grandeur of the
scene--The storm subsides--My search for clams, and further
explorations on the rock--The darkest night must come to an end--A
welcome wetting--My only refuge--Return of stormy weather--Perilous
moments--I climb the beacon-post.

I had gone through a few misadventures, but this was the most trying of
all. After lying on the rock for a few minutes or more, I recovered
sufficiently to recollect that the tide was rising, and that unless I
could select a higher spot I should be swept off, and become a prey to
the monsters I dreaded. I therefore got up, and trying to pull myself
together again, endeavoured to reach the beacon, which would at all
events afford me temporary shelter. When taking out the biscuits in the
morning I had shoved several into my pocket, which would