n
motion, and the raft continued its course steadily towards the land.
Even when the wind blew the freshest she moved but slowly, so that for a
long time it appeared as if she would not reach the shore before dark.
As they looked astern, however, they found that they had sunk the wreck
almost out of sight. The doctor fancied she must have gone down, as he
could not distinguish her. The wind, however, again freshened, and
Jerry asserted that the raft was going at the rate of three knots an
hour.

At length the land was clearly seen in some places, at the further side
of the island especially, rising to a considerable height in ridges and
hillocks.

"No fear now, doctor, about not finding water," observed Desmond.
"Volcanic agency must have been at work to throw up those hills, and I
begin to see low trees or shrubs. It may turn out to be after all a
fertile spot, though not a very picturesque one, I grant."

"If it affords us rest to our feet, and vegetable productions to keep
scurvy at a distance, with an ample supply of water, we shall have
reason to be thankful," said the doctor, whose spirits rose as he was
persuaded that his worst anticipations would not be fulfilled.

The sun was now getting low, and it would be dark before they could
reach the shore. Desmond and Jerry both declared that they could see no
sign of breakers, and just before the sun dipped beneath the horizon his
rays shone on a white sandy beach, which promised to afford them an easy
landing-place. On one point, however, the doctor's mind was not
satisfied. "What if the island is inhabited by savages? And if it
supplies food and water, it is very likely to be the case," he observed.

"We must try and make friends with them, or, if they will not be
friends, keep them at a distance; depend upon it they will be civil
enough when they see our firearms," answered Desmond.

"Inhabited? I'm sure it is," exclaimed Jerry, suddenly. "Look there!
there's a fellow dancing away on the top of that hillock. He sees us;
the chances are a score or two more black fellows like him are hidden
away, who will be down upon us as we step on shore."

Desmond at the same time saw the savage, and told Tom.

"Well, there is but one as yet," said Tom; "perhaps, however, it may be
prudent to load a couple of the muskets, though one will be sufficient,
depend upon it, to keep them at bay."

As the raft approached the shore, the gestures of the savage appeared t