fter week, however, passed by, and many by that time were
perfectly reconciled to their lot; but others, especially the officers,
began to grow weary of the life they were leading, and longed to get
away. Trips also were taken to the ship every day, as long as anything
remained on board to get out of her.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

CAPTAIN ADAIR'S LAST VISIT TO THE EMPRESS--RESOLVES TO BUILD A VESSEL
OUT OF THE WRECK--THE DOCTOR FEARS THAT THE ISLAND MAY BE BLOWN UP--A
HURRICANE--THE BOATS GET ADRIFT--THE SEA WASHES UP THE BEACH--A FLASH OF
LIGHTNING REVEALS THE SHIP PARTING AMIDSHIPS--THE MASTS FALL--THE SHIP
BREAKS UP--AN EARTHQUAKE--ROCKS FAIL FROM THE CLIFFS--RAFTS
CONSTRUCTED--THE BOATS LAUNCHED--A STILL MORE FEARFUL CONVULSION THAN
BEFORE OCCURS--THE CREW EMBARK ON THE RAFTS AND IN THE BOATS--ROY LEFT
ON THE CLIFF--SAINT MAUR RETURNS TO CALL HIM--A FEARFUL RUSH FOR THEIR
LIVES--REACH THE GIG IN TIME--THE ISLAND IN A TERRIFIC STATE OF
COMMOTION--A SAIL IN SIGHT--APPROACHES THE ISLAND--PROVES TO BE THE
BELLONA--ALL SAFE ON BOARD--TOUCHES AT THE CAPE--THE LAST OF MAJOR
BUBSBY--ARRIVAL AT HOME--HAPPY MEETINGS--CONCLUSION.

Adair and Desmond paid a visit to the _Empress_ one bright morning, when
the harbour was smooth as a mill pond, and scarcely a ripple even was
seen over the expanse of ocean outside. She lay as firm as ever, with
her masts standing, and to all appearance in as good condition as she
was the day when the attempt was made to bring her into the harbour,
except that when they looked below they could see the clear water
washing in and out of her. At a distance she might have been supposed
to be at anchor.

"I have been thinking that as no vessel has come near us since we have
been here, we might have to wait for months, or perhaps years more,
unless we make an attempt to get off by such means as we have at our
disposal," observed Adair.

"What, you would not try to cross the Indian Ocean in the boats, would
you?" asked Saint Maur.

"No; I would not thus risk the lives of my people, but we must endeavour
to build a craft out of the wreck large enough to get as far as Batavia,
or even Madras or Calcutta," answered Adair. "I had hopes when we first
came on shore that a ship would shortly appear, or I should at once have
decided on building a vessel. I have now determined to delay no longer.
When we return I will draw up plan for carrying my intention into
effect." Adair took several turns along the