e; it certainly lies between
the three."

"Poor fellow!" said Morton, "from present appearances, and the state of
our supplies, he will have to take it all out in sleeping, for some time
to come, as it is to be presumed he'll hardly feel like spouting."

"One would think that what happened yesterday, and the condition of
things as we left them last night, would be enough to disturb one's
nerves somewhat; yet you see how little it affects him--and I now
predict that the first thing he will say on opening his eye; will be
about the means of breaking his long fast."

"I don't understand how you can go on in that strain, Max," said Arthur,
looking up in a surprised manner, and shaking his head disapprovingly.

"Why, I was merely endeavouring to do my share towards keeping our
spirits up; but I suppose any spirits got up under the present
circumstances, must be somewhat forced, and as my motives don't seem to
be properly appreciated, I will renounce the unprofitable attempt."

The sun rose in a clear sky, and gave promise of a hot day. There was,
however, a cool and refreshing breeze, that scattered the spray from the
foaming ridges of the waves, and occasionally showered us, not
unpleasantly, with the fine liquid particles. A sea, breaking over our
bow, dashed a bucket-full of water into Browne's face, and abruptly
disturbed his slumbers.

"Good morning, comrades!" said he, sitting up, and looking about him
with a perplexed and bewildered air. "But how is this? Ah! I
recollect it all now. So then, we are really out of sight of land!"

"There is no longer any doubt of that," said Arthur, "and it is now time
for us to decide what we shall do--our chance of falling in with a ship
will be quite as good, and that of reaching land will of course be much
better, if, instead of drifting like a log upon the water, we put up our
sail, and steer in almost any direction; though I think there is a
choice."

"Of course there is a choice," said Morton; "the island _cannot_ be at
any great distance; and the probability of our being able to find it
again is so much greater than that of making any other land, that we
ought to steer in the direction in which we have good reason to think it
lies--that is, to the east."

"The wind, for the last twelve hours, has been pretty nearly south,"
observed Arthur, "and has probably had some effect upon our position; we
had better, therefore, steer a little south of east, which, with this