stupid, my lad; but with so many real
difficulties we must not make imaginary ones. Why, Mark, this voyage is
making a man of you--self-reliant, business-like, and strong. When we
get over it--"

"Shall we get over it, sir?" said Mark sadly.

"Ah!" said the major, speaking in a low tone so as not to disturb the
patients; "now, that's a chance for a sermon for you, my lad, only I
can't preach. Look here, Mark, ten thousand things may happen to us,
one of which is that we may all die here of starvation."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, then, that's ten thousand to one. Bah! Don't fidget now. We
have just landed in a little paradise, after running terrible risks from
spear and kris, explosion, fire, storm, and wreck. You ought to be
thankful, and not growl."

"I am thankful, sir."

"Then show it, my lad. Take what comes, like a man; do the best you can
for everybody, and leave the rest."

"I'll try, sir."

"Try! nonsense! I know you already, my lad, better than you know
yourself. You'll do it naturally without trying."

They sat here in that golden glow of shelter for some time in silence,
watching their patients and the glittering sea, broken every now and
then by the splash of a fish.

"Do you think Mr Morgan will get better, sir?" whispered Mark at last.

"Certainly I do. Why shouldn't he? A strong healthy man with his wound
waiting to heal as soon as he could have rest and proper sleep. What we
have gone through was enough to give us all fever, so no wonder a
wounded man is so bad. I expected that your father would give up."

"But he has not, sir."

"No; mind has kept him from breaking down. He has all the
responsibility, you see. You must try and grow up just such a man, my
lad."

There was again a silence, broken at last by the major.

"I want to go exploring here, Mark," he said. "I expect this will prove
to be a very wonderful place."

"But I thought such an island as this would be full of beautiful birds."

"Perhaps it is, but the birds are all sitting under their sun-shades
till the sun begins to go down. Why, Mark, we shall be in clover!"

"But about food, sir? What shall we do for food for such a party? The
stores won't last long."

"Now, that's a boy all over," said the major, chuckling. "Food! My
word, how a boy does love the larder! There, don't look so serious,
Mark. I was just as bad, I can remember, at home, enjoying my own
school-room breakfast, then getting a littl