horribly; and after lying perished with cold there and helpless for a
long time, I suppose I went to sleep again. Oh, dear me!"

The major and Mark exchanged glances, for the poor fellow put his hand
to his head and stared about him for a few moments as if unconscious of
their presence.

"But you got safe to land?" said Mark at last.

"Eh?"

"I say you escaped," said Mark.

"Did I, sir?"

"Yes, of course. You are here."

"Oh, yes--I'm here, sir! but I don't know hardly how it was."

"Can't you recollect?"

"Yes, I think I can, sir, only my head's so tight just now. I think
this handkerchief I tied round when it bled does it, but I'm afraid to
take it off."

"Wait a bit and we'll do that," said the major kindly.

"Will you, sir? Thank ye, sir."

"But how did you get ashore?" said Mark.

"In the ship, sir. I suppose the rain and the waves must have put out
the fire, and what's left of her went bumping over rocks and knocking
about, making my head ache horribly till I went to sleep again; and when
I woke it was all bright and fine, and the half-burned ship close to the
sands in shallow water, so as when the tide's down you can walk ashore."

"The ship here?"

"Yes; round there, sir," said the poor fellow wearily. "There's some
half-burned biscuit in her, and I've been living on that and some kind
of fruit I found in the woods when I could get ashore. I brought this
thing for a walking-stick."

"Then the ship is ashore here?" cried the major joyfully.

"Yes, sir; but she's not good for anything but firewood," said the
stowaway sadly.

"Ah! we shall see about that," said the major. "I'm glad you've
escaped, my lad."

"And has everybody else, sir?" said the man.

"No, not everybody," said Mark; "but my father and the ladies and the
officers are safe."

"Don't say as Billy Widgeon isn't saved, sir," cried the man piteously.

"No, because he is," replied Mark.

"That's a comfort," said the stowaway.

"Look here, my man," said the major, "how far is it to the ship?"

"I don't know, sir. I'd come a long way when I heard guns, and walked
on till I saw you; and I thought I should have dropped when I lost sight
of you again."

"Ah, you're very weak," said the major.

"'Taint only that, sir; for it's enough to frighten a man to death or
send him mad to be all alone here in a place like this."

"Why, it's a very beautiful place, Jimpny."

"Yes, sir, to look at; but as soon as you go into