m its capabilities, an appetising
breakfast of coffee and fried chops, cut from the carcass of a sheep
hastily slaughtered the previous night, was soon served out to the
occupants of the boat. Fishing-lines were afterwards produced, and, if
the sport was meagre and the amount of fish captured but small, the
expedient had at least the good effect of providing occupation and
amusement for the ladies during the greater part of the day. As the
weather continued fine, and there was absolutely nothing to do but to
steer the boat upon a given course and keep a bright look-out, Captain
Staunton seized the opportunity to take a good long spell of sleep, not
only to make up for that lost on the previous night, but also to lay in
a stock, as it were, against the time when probably many long and weary
hours would have to be passed without it. Lance and Rex took the helm
in turns throughout the day, while the ladies tended the fishing-lines,
chatted with their male companions, or played with little May, as the
humour took them. About an hour before sunset a small red flag was
hoisted on board the launch as a signal for the other boats to close,
the signal being repeated by each boat as soon as it was observed and
kept flying until the most distant craft had answered it by bearing up
or hauling to the wind as the case might be; and by the time that the
stars were fairly out the little fleet was once more sailing along in a
close and compact body.

So ended the first day in the boats.

This pleasant and satisfactory state of affairs lasted for five days,
and then came a change. On the afternoon of the fifth day light fleecy
vapours began to gather in the sky, growing thicker as the afternoon
waned, until by sunset the entire canopy of heaven was veiled by huge
masses of dense slate-coloured cloud, which swept heavily across the
firmament from the eastward. The aneroid which Captain Staunton had
ordered to be put oh board the launch indicated a considerable decrease
of atmospheric pressure, which, coupled with the appearance of the sky,
led the skipper to believe that bad weather was at hand; accordingly,
when the other boats closed in upon the launch at sundown, word was
passed along the line to keep a sharp look-out and to be prepared for
any change which might occur.

About nine p.m. the wind died almost completely away; and shortly
afterwards a few heavy drops of rain fell, speedily followed by a
drenching shower. This ki