long did you have to wait?" asked Mark, who felt guilty at having
been to sleep.

"Six hours at least," said the captain. "It must be very nearly
morning. How is Jimpny?"

"He has been fast asleep all the time."

"Well, then, we will not wake him," said the captain. "It is so
intensely dark that we shall have difficulty in getting him home, and it
can't be very long to-day."

It was longer than the captain thought, but he sat chatting about how
busy they had been setting up the second hut and improving the first,
besides making preparations for their home becoming permanent.

"The ship will supply us with endless useful things," he said, "even if
much of the cargo is burned. This man has again proved himself a
treasure, Mark, for it might have been a long time before we had
explored far enough to enable us to find the hull."

"When shall you go to see it, father?" asked Mark.

"To-day, my boy. We'll get back to camp and have a good breakfast and
then start. By the way, the major says you have got some capital
birds."

"Eight, and they are bigger than fowls. Curious-looking things, with a
sort of helmet on their heads."

"I think I know them," said the captain, "a sort of brush-turkey, I
expect, the maleo birds I think they are called, and they are splendid
eating. I don't think we shall starve, my lad."

"Day!" said Mark eagerly, pointing to a faint gleam away to his right.

"Yes; the first touch of dawn. I think we may prepare to go now. Get
together the birds, my lads."

Widgeon and Small obeyed, finding them already tied, and slinging them
over their shoulders.

"Now, Mark, wake up your companion," said the captain. "He ought to be
able to walk after eight hours' rest."

Jimpny started into wakefulness at a touch, and on being spoken to
answered, in a vacant wandering way, something about the fire and
wanting his spear; but the day was rapidly coming round, and the faces
of those in the shelter of the rocks growing visible.

"What's the matter?" said the stowaway suddenly. "Have they got off the
bales and boxes.--No, I--I--is that you, Mr Mark?"

"Yes, all right, Jimpny. Had a good sleep?"

"Yes, I think so. I--I'm not quite awake. Yes, I recollect now."

"Can you walk a couple of miles or so, my lad?" said the captain.

"Yes, sir; yes, I can walk," said the stowaway; "but there are some
birds here. Let me help carry the birds."

"No, no; they're all right, my lad," said Smal