as
oil-smooth, with very little swell running. I felt greatly refreshed by
my sleep--brief though it had been--for it was the first spell of really
sound slumber that our precarious situation, and the anxiety attendant
upon it, had permitted me to take since the loss of the _City of
Cawnpore_; and, prompted thereto by the hilarity resulting from rest and
the cessation of anxiety, I started whistling softly as I gazed out
through the port. A moment later Miss Onslow's cabin-door opened for
the space of half an inch, and the young lady thus addressed me through
the chink:

"Good-morning, Mr Conyers; I am glad to hear you whistling; it shows
that your rest has done you good."

"Thank you, yes," I answered; "I am feeling quite my old self again this
morning. Were you able to get any rest?"

"Yes indeed," was the reply. "I was so tired that I scarcely remember
lying down; and I have not been awake more than five minutes. What a
lovely morning it is! I wonder whether I might venture to trouble you
to get me a little water to wash in; there is none in here."

"Certainly," I said. "I will fetch you a bucketful at once, and place
it at your door, after which I intend to have a bath myself on deck."

"A bath?" she exclaimed, in a tone of unmistakable anxiety. "You surely
do not mean that you are going to bathe in the sea? Oh, _please_ do
not, Mr Conyers, I beg you; it is _far_ too dangerous; for I am sure
there must be sharks here."

"I think it exceedingly probable, and therefore I shall not risk going
overboard," I answered. "No; my bath will be taken on the fore deck, in
a wash-deck tub, if I can find one."

"Thank you," she returned. "And while you are so engaged I will lay the
table for breakfast; I still feel most atrociously hungry!"

I answered that I was glad to hear it, now that we were once more in
possession of provisions; and then hurried off up on deck to procure the
water asked for; after which I went forward, found a wash-deck tub,
filled it from over the side, and treated myself to a salt-water bath,
the refreshment of which was like a renewal of life to me.

Then, having dressed, I lighted the galley fire, filled and put on a
kettle, had a wash in fresh water, and made my way aft to the cabin,
where I found Miss Onslow, looking wonderfully fresh and bright after
her night's rest, busily engaged in arranging the cabin table for
breakfast. Then came the question: What were we to have? I had