c as we supposed. However, here we are talking away, and
neglecting to return thanks for our deliverance from the dangers we have
gone through, and forgetting all about our unfortunate companions."

I felt rebuked by Boxall's remark, and so, I dare say, did Halliday. We
all knelt down, and I know that I tried to return hearty thanks for our
preservation; but my mind was still in a confused state, thinking of
Ben, and our long wade, and the monster which we had seen, and of what
might be our future fate. My strength, indeed, was fast failing me; and
though I was generally stronger than Halliday, I was the first to sink
down on the sand. He imitated me, and Boxall soon afterwards sat down
beside us. We none of us felt much inclined to speak; yet we were
afraid to go to sleep, when we recollected the creature we had seen,--
which, though it might not be of extraordinary size, would, if it were a
hyena, prove an ugly customer should it take us unawares. Otherwise, we
had no reason to dread it. Such creatures, indeed, seldom attack human
beings unless first assailed, as they five on carrion, and act a useful
part as scavengers.

Wet through as we were, the night air chilled us to the bones; but we
were too much exhausted to feel inclined to move about and try and warm
ourselves. We sat for some time gazing on the wild, desolate scene
around us, lighted up by the rays of the full moon, which seemed to
increase its aspect of dreariness. On three sides appeared a succession
of sand-hills, one beyond another; while before us was seen the lagoon
across which we had waded, with the tumbling seas, on the crests of
which the moonbeams played, breaking on the reef in the distance. Every
instant the water in front of us became more and more agitated, as the
rising tide flowed over the reef; and we could not but be thankful that
we had crossed the lagoon when we did, as later the undertaking would
have been far more difficult, if not impossible, and we should probably
have been engulfed by the foaming waters, which now with greater and
greater violence rolled up on the shore.

Our thoughts naturally turned to the future. How were we to support
life in this dreary region? or, supposing it to be inhabited, what would
be the character of, and disposition shown towards us by, the people we
might encounter? I had read of the Arabs of the Desert, and of their
generous hospitality to strangers, and I had hopes that such might be