ir eyes; no sail was in sight--not a speck
appeared above the horizon. The sea was rolling in lazy undulations,
here and there flecked with foam, which sparkled brightly in the rays of
the setting sun, while the sea-fowl were once more venturing forth from
their rocky homes in search of prey.

"She must have run a long distance before the gale, and it will take her
some time to beat back," observed Tom. "We must not give her up yet."

"I should think not, indeed," answered Desmond. "It would have been
rather inconvenient if she had come, and we had not got the boat afloat.
However, we must manage to get a signal-staff set up to-morrow morning,
in case she should appear, that they may know where we are, and send in
to help us."

Tom agreed with Desmond, and they accordingly arranged to cut a
flag-staff the first thing the next day, and manufacture a flag which
might be seen from the ship. Descending the rock, they returned to
their companions, who were still hard at work. Pat, however, had been
sent back, to light the fire and prepare supper. The party continued
digging in the sand until darkness at length compelled them to give
over. They had no little difficulty in making their way back to the
camp, until their eyes were gladdened by the sight of Pat's blazing
fire.

"We must compliment you on your pork chops," exclaimed Billy, holding up
the remains of one which he had been discussing with the help of his
clasp knife. "I'll trouble you for another, as soon as it's done
brown."

"You're welcome to it, sir; and, bedad, I'm mighty better pleased to be
cooking his hams, than for him to have had his tusks through mine,"
answered Pat.

The supper was pronounced excellent, though they had nothing but cold
water from a neighbouring rivulet with which to wash it down. Tim
suggested that a thimbleful of rum would be mighty pleasant.

Tom refused to serve out any of their limited supply, having determined
to keep it in case of emergency. Although he did not express his fears
to his companions, he could not help dreading that some accident might
have happened to the _Dragon_. The night passed quickly away. As soon
as it was daylight Tom and Desmond ascended to their look-out place.
They were again doomed to disappointment. The sea had become perfectly
calm, a light air occasionally only rippling the surface.

"It will take her a good many hours to get up to our island, even if she
is now only just out of si