ctation of his return; and grown desperate as I was, I almost hoped
that he would do so, that I might have another chance of shooting him.
The possibility of this served effectually to prevent me from again
falling into a drowsy state, and I believe it was of essential service
to me.

Another risk now occurred to me. Though at present perfectly calm, the
wind might suddenly arise, and should we fall asleep, the sand might be
drifted over us, and we should certainly be suffocated. No mariner,
whose ship is drifting on an unknown lee-shore, ever more earnestly
wished-for daylight than I did for the appearance of dawn, though I was
afraid it could but little avail my poor father.

At length a faint streak appeared in the sky. It was a sign that we
must attempt to proceed on our way or abandon all hope of escape. I
called to my father, whose eyes were closed.

"Yes, my boy," he answered, "I will come;" but when he attempted to
rise, I saw that his strength was not equal to the exertion.

I felt also, when I tried, but little able to walk even by myself, much
less to help him onward. Still the effort must be made. I got myself
on my feet, and raised him also. We staggered onward in the direction,
I supposed, of the oasis. With a melancholy foreboding, however, I felt
that at the pace we were going we should never be able to reach it.
Still I resolved not to give in. Onward we went like two drunken men.
Every instant I thought we should fall to rise no more. I was certain
that if I quitted my father, it would only be to die apart from him,
when death would be doubly bitter. I could no longer see the star which
had before guided us. Either clouds had obscured it, or a mist had
arisen, or my eyes were growing dim. My father was pressing more
heavily on my arm. I tried to support him, but my strength was
insufficient. In the attempt we both fell together. All hope abandoned
me.

"O God, protect my wife and children!" murmured my father.

I also tried to pray, but with difficulty I could collect my thoughts
for a few moments together. I lifted myself on my knees by my father's
side, and raised his head from the sand. Daylight was now coming on,
and with anguish I saw by the expression of his features that if aid was
not speedily afforded, it would be too late to preserve his life.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

HOPE REVIVES--LIMA AND ITS SCENES AND CHARACTERS.

As a shipwrecked seaman, on the wild rock in the mi