e was awake and overheard them. "God will
take care of us, for we can do nothing more to take care of ourselves.
We are safer here than we should be farther inland among the trees."

It was some time, however, before they followed his advice. At length
there was a lull, and they both lay down. Scarcely had they placed
their heads on the ground, than they were lost in forgetfulness, and
took no more notice of the storm than the seamen who had slept through
it all.

When morning dawned all hands awakened. The fury of the gale was over.
The sun arose, and, bursting through the clouds, his rays soon dried
their damp clothing.

The ground rose slightly from the head of the bay, and on the lower
portion grew a grove of cocoa-nut trees loaded with fruit. One of the
men, by means of a belt round his waist and the trunk, soon managed to
climb to the top of one of them, when he threw down a number of nuts,
which were eagerly seized by the rest. The outer husks were quickly
torn off, and a nut was given to Harry, the eye being pierced. He
declared that he had never tasted so delicious a draught of milk. The
meat served the party for food, but did not satisfy their hunger, as
they had eaten nothing since leaving the ship.

"This is better than nothing, but it won't keep body and soul together,"
said one of the men, in a grumbling tone.

"Lad, we should be thankful that God has sent us where we can find such
wholesome food, instead of complaining that we have not better," said
old Tom. "Maybe, too, there are shell-fish and crabs to be got, and
perhaps other food besides; and see, there is a rill of fresh water. We
should be thankful for that. We have an axe and our knives, and if we
are obliged to live here we may build ourselves a hut, though we need
not think about that, as I hope the ship has escaped and will come to
look for us before long."

Still the men grumbled. They were all out of spirits, and had made up
their minds that the ship was lost. They had begun to wander about, as
sailors generally do under such circumstances, one in one direction and
one in another, when Harry, who had gone to the boat, exclaimed, "See,
here are some fishing-lines. Who put them there I do not know, but we
shall not be in want of a dinner if we make use of them."

"This is a godsend," observed Dickey.

"Everything good is sent by God," said old Tom; and he called to the men
to come and assist him in launching the boat.