d with those they had regained, and resumed
their seats.

The captain, on calling over the names of the crew, found that, besides
the two marines who had been drowned under the boat, two of the men were
missing. The position of those on the boat was now perilous in the
extreme. The wind was increasing, and was drifting her further and
further from the shore. Although it was possible that she might be seen
in the morning by the frigate, before that time all on her, in all
probability, would be washed off.

"We might get help from Gorontello, as there are several boats in the
harbour," observed the captain; "but it is not likely that the accident
was observed there, unless any one by chance has been watching us
through a spy-glass."

"I am afraid there is very little hope of that," answered Langton.

"We must endeavour to hold on until the morning, when the frigate may
discover us," said the captain. "Cheer up, my lads, many men have been
in a worse condition than we are and have escaped."

The seamen cheered, to show that they were not down-hearted, and were
ready as ever to obey their captain.

"If we had but some food, we might fare better," observed the purser.
"I think I see something floating near us now."

"I'll get it," cried Owen, slipping into the water and swimming towards
it. The object proved to be a covered basket of fruit, which he towed
back in triumph. It was hauled up and secured. The men cried out for
some at once.

"Stay, my lads," said the captain, "none of you can be very hungry or
thirsty as yet. By-and-by I will serve out a share to each man." The
sailors acquiesced without a word. "I fear that we shall drift out to
sea," observed Captain Stanhope, after a silence of some minutes.
"Although when we are missed Mr Leigh will certainly send boats in
search of us, they will not know where to look. Could we by any means
communicate with the shore, word might be sent along he coast, and those
who are acquainted with the set of the current would easily know in what
direction to pull."

"I might be able to swim to the shore, sir," said Langton, "but it is a
long distance to go alone. Are any of you men good swimmers?"

No one answered. There was not a man who felt capable of accomplishing
the feat.

"If I may go with Langton I will, sir," exclaimed Owen. "I never have
swum as much as two miles, but I know that I can keep in the water a
long time, and I think I can do it."

The