Jack Windy. "It's a long pull, to be sure; but if
we don't get quickly on board she may be drifting by, and be still
farther off than she is now."

"My lads," said Mr Collinson, "I should not like to separate. I would
therefore rather increase the size of our fishing-raft, and all go off
together. Those on board will be glad of your assistance, probably;
and, considering that our provisions and water have nearly come to an
end, we cannot be worse off than we shall be in the course of a few
days. I believe God in His mercy has sent that vessel to our
assistance. Had she not been dismasted, she would have passed by, and
we could not have got aboard of her."

The lieutenant's proposal pleased all hands. They immediately set to
work to increase the size of their raft, by placing some broken spars on
either side, which projected a considerable distance fore and aft, and
lashing spars across them. A couple of fresh paddles were also made,
and a larger one to serve as a rudder. The sail already used was
sufficient in case a breeze should favour them. While they were
employed, they constantly looked up to the vessel to see if she was
drifting away, but she seemed rather to get nearer than farther off. So
eager had they been, that no one had thought of breakfast. Mr
Collinson, however, insisted that they should take a good meal before
starting.

"We do not know how long it may be before we shall reach the vessel,
and, at all events, it will be pretty hard work," he observed.

By his directions, also, the cask containing the remaining stock of
water was placed in the centre of the raft, and lashed there securely.
Two other casks were placed below the raft to give it greater buoyancy.
As soon as all was ready, Mr Collinson was lifted on to the raft, for
he was as yet too weak to walk. A seat had been formed for him where he
could sit and steer. Jack and old Grim paddled in the forepart of the
raft, while Bill and Tommy stood, or rather knelt, farther astern. A
couple of poles had been provided, with which the two men shoved off the
raft, and then, when they were in deep water, all hands began to paddle
away with might and main. It was satisfactory to find that they could
go ahead faster than they had expected. They now began to speculate
what sort of vessel was the one in sight. They judged her to be of no
great size--a brig, or barque, perhaps; a trader, at all events; but
whether English, American, French, o