cats, and hyenas, I rallied again, resolved upon one
more desperate effort for his deliverance.

"Well," said I, "the fact is, we don't know exactly where the Swiss
Family Robinson's island really was--it is altogether uncertain. It may
have been near Java, or Ceylon, or the coast of India, in which case,
all those Asiatic beasts could easily have got there--that is, if the
two places were close enough together. Now we know that we are
somewhere in the middle of the Pacific, a vast distance from any
continent, or any of the great Indian islands, so that large animals
here are out of the question, unless they have taken a swim of a
thousand miles or so."

This seemed to be pretty decisive; and I think it settled the jackalls,
tiger-cats, and hyenas, effectually, for Johnny said no more on the
subject, except to remark, that, even if they _could_ swim that
distance, they would stand a bad chance with the sharks and other
sea-monsters; to which I added, as a final clincher, that in any event
they would be sure to starve on the voyage, unless they should bring a
large supply of provisions along. "Well," said he, after a minute's
silence, "I'm not afraid of anything; but somehow or other I feel very
wide awake to-night, and not in the least sleepy."

"Shut your eyes," said I, "and think of a great wheel, whirling round
and round, with a regular and even motion, and never stopping, until you
have counted it go round a hundred times."

Johnny laughed softly to himself, as though pleased with this device,
and was quite still for a minute or two; then he spoke again.

"It has gone round a hundred times, but towards the end it got a-going
dreadfully fast; it _would_ go fast in spite of all I could do."

"Never mind the wheel, then," said I, "but think of the huge lazy swells
in a calm, rising and falling, rising and falling, as they did when we
lay rocking in the boat, all those long days and nights, out on the
sea."

"Well, I'll try--but I don't believe it will be of any use."

"Don't look at the moon, and don't speak to me again--unless for
something very particular--and now good night."

"Good night!" and he nestled down among his leaves again. In a very few
minutes the deep and regular breathing of the little patient, proved the
efficacy of my sleeping prescription, and announced that his troubles
for that night were over.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

DOMESTIC EMBARRASSMENTS.

A DESERT ISLAND BREAKFAST--PERSUASIV