atter, except that we shall have to breakfast on raw fish, and perhaps
after all not get home to dinner. My dear mother, too, and Jane, may be
frightened, and I don't like the thought of that."

"Yes, to be sure, I forgot that; I am afraid those at my home will be
frightened too, when they hear nothing of us," said David. "One comfort
is, that we did not keep away intentionally, though, to be sure, it was
thoughtless of us to be caught by the tide as we were. But don't let us
think of ourselves; better let us see what we can do for this poor old
man. I believe that he is still alive, though how to bring him round I
don't know. If we had any liquor to give him we might pour it down his
throat, but as we have nothing we must keep his head up and let him lay
quiet till daylight," said Harry.

David was thoroughly accustomed to boat-sailing, so that he was well
able to keep the boat dead before the wind. The sea came curling up
astern, but none broke over her; had even one done so it would have sent
her to the bottom. A very little conversation took place after this.
Only Harry, fearing that he and his friend might lose heart, every now
and then said something to keep up their spirits. It was somewhat
forced, it must be owned, for they both saw that their position was very
critical. The hours passed slowly by--now the one, now the other took
the helm. Morning broke at last; they looked out, expecting to see the
land aboard on the starboard hand, but not a glimpse of land was
visible--nothing but sea and sky on every side around of a leaden grey
hue--not a streak in the horizon showed where the sun was rising. They
could only guess by the wind the points of the compass. Harry proposed
hauling up for where they supposed the land to be, but David considered
that such a proceeding would be dangerous, and that it would be safer to
run on till the weather moderated and they could get sail on the boat.
They neither of them sufficiently calculated the strength of the tide,
which, running for six hours, had carried them many miles to the
eastward. The old man was alive, but sat perfectly still at the bottom
of the boat. It seemed indeed doubtful if, after remaining in that
state so long, he would ever recover. Their anxiety prevented them from
feeling hungry; indeed, as yet, they fancied that they could not bring
themselves to eat raw fish. They now tried various means to bring the
old man to consciousness, by rubbin