ing about it," said Jackson. "Let's have a look, mate."

He knelt down and felt the swollen limb, putting its owner to
considerable pain, as Percival judged from the way in which he set his
teeth during the operation. Jackson had, however, a tolerable knowledge
of a rough sort of surgery, and managed to set the bone and bind up the
swollen limb in a manner that showed skill and tenderness as well as
knowledge. And then Percival proposed that they should try to find some
food, and make the tour of the island before the day grew hotter. The
leadership of the party had been tacitly accorded to him from the first;
and, after a consultation with the others, Jackson stepped forward to
say that they all wished to consider themselves under Mr. Heron's
orders, "he having more head than the rest of them, and being a
gentleman born, no doubt." At which Heron laughed good-humouredly and
accepted the position. "And none of us grudge you being the head," said
Jackson, sagely, "except, maybe, one, and he don't count." Heron made no
response; but he wondered for a moment whether the one who grudged him
his leadership could possibly be Mackay, whose eyes had a quiet
attentiveness to all his doings, which looked almost like criticism. But
there was no other fault to be found with Mackay's manner, while against
Fenwick's dogged air Percival felt some irritation.

The want of food was decidedly the first difficulty. Sea-birds' eggs and
young birds, shell-fish and turtle, were all easily to be obtained; but
how were they to be cooked? Percival was not without hopes that some
tinned provisions might be cast ashore from the wreck; but at present
there was nothing of the kind to be seen. A few cocoa-nuts were
procurable: and these provided them with meat and drink for the time
being. Then came the question of fire. The only possible method of
obtaining it was the Indian one of rubbing two sticks diligently
together for the space of some two hours; and Thomas Jackson sat down
with stoical patience worthy of an Indian himself to fulfil this
operation.

Percival, who felt that he could not bear to be doing nothing, started
off for a walk round the island, and the rest of the party dozed in the
shade until the return of their leader.

When Heron came back he made his report as cheerful as he could, but he
could not make it a particularly brilliant one, although he did his
best. He was one of those men who grumble at trifles, but are unusually