fice that led him to undertake the
office.

"As soon as you please," said the boatswain, and handed him the hat.

M. Letourneur proceeded to draw out the folded strips of paper one by
one, and after reading out aloud the name upon it, handed it to its
owner.

The first name called was that of Burke, who uttered a cry of delight;
then followed Flaypole and the boatswain. What his name really was I
never could exactly learn. Then came Falsten, Curtis, Sandon. More
than half had now been called, and my name had not yet been drawn. I
calculated my remaining chance; it was still four to one in my favour.

M. Letourneur continued his painful task. Since Burke's first
exclamation of joy not a sound had escaped our lips, but all were
listening in breathless silence. The seventh name was Miss Herbey's, but
the young girl heard it without a start. Then came mine, yes, mine! and
the ninth was that of Letourneur.

"Which one?" asked the boatswain.

"Andre," said M. Letourneur.

With one cry Andre fell back senseless. Only two names now remained in
the hat; those of Dowlas and of M. Letourneur himself.

"Go on," almost roared the carpenter, surveying his partner in peril as
though he could devour him. M. Letourneur almost had a smile upon
his lips, as he drew forth the last paper but one, and with a firm,
unfaltering voice, marvelous for his age, unfolded it slowly, and read
the name of Dowlas. The carpenter gave a yell of relief as he heard the
word.

M. Letourneur took the last bit of paper from the hat, and without
looking at it, tore it to pieces. But, unperceived by all but myself,
one little fragment flew into a corner of the raft. I crawled towards it
and picked it up. On one side of it was written Andr--; the rest of
the word was torn away. M. Letourneur saw what I had done, and rushing
towards me, snatched the paper from my hands, and flung it into the sea.

CHAPTER LIV.

JANUARY 26th.--I understood it all; the devoted father having nothing
more to give, had given his life for his son.

M. Letourneur was no longer a human being in the eyes of the famished
creatures who were now yearning to see him sacrificed to their cravings.
At the very sight of the victim thus provided, all the tortures of
hunger returned with redoubled violence. With lips distended, and teeth
displayed, they waited like a herd of carnivora until they could attack
their prey with brutal voracity; it seemed almost doubtful whether they