; you are worse than I am," Jack replied.

The gourd had to be refilled two or three times before they were both
satisfied, then they went back into the village. Jack pointed to his
mouth, and made signs that they wanted something to eat. The natives
shook their heads apathetically and proceeded with their work. At last
they went up to an old woman sitting in a chair, and rocking herself
backwards and forwards. She paid no attention when Jack addressed her,
but upon his holding out a shilling to her her manner at once changed.
She hobbled into the house and returned with a pile of flat cakes made
from some native grain.

"We shall do now," Jack said, as, munching away at the bread, they
tramped on. "We must get to some place sooner or later where there is
somebody who can talk English. How much money have you got, Arthur?"

"I have got two pounds," Arthur said. "I took it out of my chest while
the gale was going on. I thought if we were wrecked and did get to shore
it might be useful."

"I wish I had done the same," Jack said. "I have luckily got a sovereign
in my pocket, for I was going to pay Joe Scales for those six light
canvas trousers he made me. Well, three pounds between us is not bad;
and I have got four or five shillings loose, which will do, I hope,
until we get to some place where we can change our gold."

They walked on till sunset, passing several other villages by the way.
All of these had suffered more or less severely by the storm, but it was
evident that as they got further inland the work of destruction had been
less complete. At sunset they sat down in a grove of trees still
standing, the first they had passed, and there spent the night.

"That looks a good-sized place," Jack said, as late on the following
afternoon they came in sight of what was evidently a town of some size.
"We shall probably find someone there who can speak English."

After crossing a bridge over a river they entered the town. They
addressed several people, but these shook their heads and pointed
forward.

"What do they mean, Jack?"

"I am sure I don't know, unless they mean there is somebody farther on
who speaks English." Presently they came to a large house. Several
people were passing in and out. Jack spoke to one of these, but he shook
his head and pointed indoors, "This must be the right place, Arthur."

They went into a large room, where two or three natives were sitting
writing. They looked up in surprise at th