ed. It was found to be much higher out
of the water than at first supposed, and of considerable extent; but not
a tree grew upon it, nor was it probable that a spring of water would be
found there. They might exist for a short time, exposed to the burning
rays of the sun by day and the dews by night. When Owen looked at the
two small casks of water, he reflected that it could not last more than
five or six days, even with the greatest economy. The raft being hauled
up on the beach, the various articles they had brought were placed
together.

"Men," said Mr Scoones, "we have got provisions enough here to keep
body and soul together for ten days or more; in the meantime we must see
what can be done to make our escape. Perhaps one of the boats may be
driven on shore, or, if not, we must build a raft and make our way to
Java, or maybe some ship may appear and take us off. It won't do for at
to be down-hearted."

"Can you tell about where we are?" asked Owen.

"What's that to you, youngster?" answered the mate, who in reality had
been utterly ignorant of the position of the ship when she struck.

Owen walked away: he saw that the less communication he had with Mr
Scoones the better.

He proposed to Mike Coffey and two other men that they should make an
excursion along the beach, in the hopes of picking up any articles which
might be washed ashore from the wreck.

"Shure, we will have our dinner first off the shark," observed Mike, "or
there will be but poor picking for us when we come back."

Among the things saved was a tinder box and matches; the latter were
perfectly wet, and it was supposed that they were spoiled. Owen,
however, undertook to dry them.

"If you will pick up the fuel, we will soon have a fire burning," he
observed.

By exposing the matches to the hot sun they quickly dried. From
portions of the wreck driven on shore during the night and old drift
wood, a sufficient amount of fuel was collected to form a good fire.
After some trouble one of the matches was lighted. The men cheered as
they saw it blaze up, and bits of paper were produced to catch the
welcome flame. In a short time a good fire was burning, at which the
shark, cut up in pieces, was placed to cook.

Owen saw the beer barrel broached with considerable uneasiness.
However, he could not interfere. All hands obtained a good meal from
the roasted shark and some sopped biscuit, which Mr Scoones served out
to them. Owen and hi