urned to death in times past--but they
became still more deeply impressed as Paul went on reading and
commenting and pointing out the value of the Book as God's own "Word" to
fallen man.

"Here is a promise to rest upon," said Paul, as he finally closed the
book and repeated the verse from memory, "Jesus said, If ye continue in
my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free."

"Ay, that's it, Paul--_free_! We're all slaves, more or less, to
something or other. What we all want is to be _free_," said Master
Trench, as he drew his blanket round him, pillowed his head on his
cloak, and went to sleep.

Silently Paul and Oliver followed his example, the fires died out, and
in a few minutes the slumbering camp was shrouded in the mantle of
night.

Energetic action was the order of the next day, for those shipwrecked
mariners knew well enough that nothing but hard and steady labour could
enable them to live on an apparently desolate island.

By daybreak most of the crew had scattered themselves along the shores,
or over the interior, to spy out the land. About two hours later they
began to drop into camp as hungry as hawks, each carrying the result of
his researches in his arms or on his shoulders.

"Well done, Squill!" said Paul, who chanced to be first back in camp,
with a huge sail bundled up on his shoulder, and who, just then, was
busy blowing up his fire; "got another barrel of pork, eh?"

"It's myself as doesn't know, sur," answered Squill, "and it wasn't me
as found it, but Jim Heron there. I only helped to sling it on the
pole, and shoulder an end. It's aither pork or gunpowther, so if it
ain't good for a blow out it'll be good for a blow up, anyhow."

"Did you see little Oliver anywhere?" asked Paul.

"Ay, sur, I saw him on the shore, bringing up what seemed to me the
ship's bowsprit--anyhow, a spar o' some sort, about as big as he could
haul along."

"Just so," returned Paul, with a laugh, "a ridge-pole for our tent.
He's a smart boy, little Olly."

"Sure he's all that, sur, and more. Here he comes, blowin' like a
porpoise."

Sure enough, Oliver appeared at the moment, dragging a heavy spar behind
him. Several of the men appeared at the same time, staggering through
the bushes, with various loads of wreckage, which they flung down, and
noisily began discussing their experiences as they lighted the fires and
prepared breakfast.

"Here