eeting with
inhabitants, as I wanted, wherever I went, to make inquiries for Jack,
not knowing where I might find him. As Miles had come to the east, I
thought he might have found his way in the same direction. None of the
islands are, however, inhabited, and only one of them, Charles Island,
has a spring of water, though people might otherwise exist in them for
years. We saw a vast number of birds, which were very tame, but not a
single four-legged creature besides the terrapins and lizards. We had
to make several trips to carry the meat to the boat. As we shoved off
we saw the sea literally swarming with fish, and the next morning the
captain sent in two boats, which, in a short time, caught as many as we
could eat.

In the evening we sailed and cruised in the neighbourhood of the
islands, during which time we added the oil of four whales to our cargo.
We also met several other whalers, from all of whom I made inquiries
for Jack, but none of the people I spoke to had even heard of the wreck
of the _Helen_, and could give me no information. At length the crew
began to grumble at being kept so long at sea, and we sailed for Tumbez,
on the mainland, where we took in wood and water.

When this task was accomplished the captain gave leave to half of the
crew to go ashore, and to remain away three days. On their return the
other half had liberty granted them for the same time.

I accompanied the doctor. We went up the river some distance, and then
landing walked to a town surrounded by sand, far from having a pleasant
look. With the assistance of the doctor, I made inquiries for Jack,
thinking that if he belonged to a whaler he might have visited the
place; but I could gain no intelligence of him. The night before we
sailed it was my middle watch, and when it was over I tumbled into my
bunk.

I had been asleep for some time when I was awakened by hearing Horner's
voice, exclaiming, "You are here, then? Rouse up and come on deck. The
captain is in a great taking. He has found that a boat is missing and
some of the hands, and he declares that you have gone with them."

Slipping into my clothes, I hurried on deck. It was just daylight; the
captain was standing aft, looking in a fearful rage, while the second
mate was forward, shouting to the men to come up and show themselves.

"Do you want me, sir?" I asked.

"So you and Jim Pulley have not taken yourselves off?" he exclaimed.

"No, sir; we never thoug