pting fluid
on which they floated. As morning approached, Bill, who was standing
up, declared that he felt a light breeze on his cheeks. It lasted for a
short time again. Then again it came, and, as the sun rose, it could be
seen playing, here and there, over the water.

"And see! See! There comes a sail!" cried Jack.

He pointed to the westward. There, just rising above the horizon, were
seen the topgallant sails of a ship. How eagerly did they watch her!
She was standing towards them; there was no doubt about that. On she
came, but the wind was light, and she advanced but slowly. They had but
a few damaged biscuits and onions remaining. Should she not perceive
them, starvation might be their fate. The time went by. It had never
appeared to pass so slowly. Still she was getting nearer. Her topsails
gradually rose above the water; then her courses were seen; and,
finally, the hull itself rose in sight.

During this time, the sun was rising in the heavens, and struck down
upon their heads with terrific fury, increasing the fearful thirst from
which they were suffering. It increased their longing for her approach.
She seemed to come on very, very slowly; indeed, sometimes they felt as
if they could scarcely hold out till she could get up to them.

"I don't think, after all, she will pass near enough to see us,"
observed old Grim.

They watched her again for some time.

"Yes! Yes! She's altering her course. She is steering directly for us
now!" exclaimed Jack. "We're seen! We're seen!" he and Bill shouted in
chorus.

Mr Collinson had made no remark. He had been examining the vessel, and
felt sure, from her appearance, that she was French. She was a
flush-deck vessel, probably a privateer. Still their lives might be
preserved, as those on board would scarcely have the barbarity to refuse
to receive them. He said nothing, however, to his companions.

On came the vessel. As she approached, her topsails were clewed up, and
a boat was lowered. The boat approached. Their wretched appearance,
suffering from burning thirst and hunger, might have excited the
compassion of even the most hardhearted. The people in the boat shouted
to them.

"They're Frenchmen!" cried old Grim. "They're somewhat better than
Spaniards, that's all I can say in their favour!"

As the boat drew near, the party on the raft pointed to their lips.

"Water! Water!" they gasped out.

By this time, no one could speak