d or water, how could we expect to hold out? Our prospects
were indeed miserable in the extreme; still, we had reason to be
thankful that we had escaped the fate which had overtaken our shipmates.

On and on we paddled, till our arms began to ache. "We are making no
way, I've a notion; and as for reaching the shore, that is more than we
can do," exclaimed Ben at length, as he placed under him the piece of
board with which he had been paddling. "Our best chance is to be picked
up by some passing vessel; and I hope one will heave in sight when a
breeze gets up."

"I fear there is but little chance of that," said Halliday in a
desponding tone; "a vessel may pass close by and not see us, seated as
we are scarcely above the surface."

"Trust in God," exclaimed Boxall, pointing upwards. "See! the morning
is breaking--the clouds overhead are already tinged with the sun's rays;
a breeze, too, has sprung up: let us hope that before long one of our
own cruisers or some African trader may sight us and take us on board."

Fortunately Boxall and I had had supper, and could hold out longer than
our companions. Halliday said that he was not hungry; but I knew that
he would be before long, when he would be singing out for food.

"When you are, sir, say so," said Ben. "I shoved a biscuit into my
pocket at tea-time last night; and I have got three or four quids in my
baccy-box, so that I shall not want it."

"Thank you, but I cannot take it from you," answered Halliday.

"Do you think, sir, that I could munch it up and see you starving,"
answered Ben. "Come, that would be a good joke. I shan't get hungry,
for you must know that I have more than once been three days without
putting a morsel of food between my teeth--and wasn't much the worse for
it, either. I shouldn't mind a drop of grog, I will allow; but what we
can't get we must do without--and, as Mr Boxall says, `Trust in God.'"

I was thankful that we had so right-minded a man as the old mate with
us; still, I could not help thinking about the fearful probability there
was that we should perish. We were already in the latitude in which
sharks abound; and should those foes of the seaman find us out, they
would certainly attack us,--tempted, as they would be, by our feet
hanging in the water. I said nothing, however, as I did not wish to
impart my uncomfortable feelings to my companions--especially to
Halliday, who was already downcast.

At length the sun rose, an