of them. At last he had exhausted every one
of his pebbles, and, prompted by hunger, was about to go back to obtain
more, when he bethought him that by hiding behind a bush an unwary bird
might come near enough to enable him to knock it down with a stick which
he had picked up. He waited for some time. Though several birds came
near--one a fine fat pigeon with beautiful plumage--they kept beyond his
reach. At length, losing his patience, he threw his stick at a bird
which had perched on a bough about twelve feet off. The bird rose,
wagging its tail as if in derision, and flew off unhurt. Nep, who was
by this time as famished as his master, showed his eagerness by dashing
here and there after the birds, which flew near the ground.

"It's of no use, Nep," said Lord Reginald; "we must try what the
sea-shore will yield." They returned together to the beach. The tide
was low and shell-fish--some of large size--clung to the rocks or lay on
the sand.

Supposing that the latter were dead or not fit to eat; he attempted to
cut off with his knife some of those clinging to the rocks, a more
difficult task than he had expected, and he blunted it considerably in
the attempt. At last he got several off, and with these, as well as a
few of the freshest looking which he had picked up on the beach, he
returned to the cave.

He nearly cut his finger in attempting to open them, and when he had
succeeded in separating the shells of a couple, he recollected that he
must cook them before they would be fit to eat. First he had to collect
firewood. For this purpose he was compelled to go back to where he
could obtain some dry branches, broken off by previous gales. While
thus engaged, he saw some smoke in the distance.

"That must be a fire kindled by that fellow Hargrave," he said to
himself; "he probably has found something to eat, but I cannot go and
ask him for a light, still less can I bring myself to beg for some of
the food. Probably he would refuse me if I did. No, no, I will let him
come to me and ask my pardon for his insolent behaviour."

By exerting himself, the young lord collected a bundle of sticks. On
his way he found another cocoanut, which prize he was glad to obtain,
for it would serve as bread to help him swallow the shell-fish.

With his bundle on his shoulders he returned to the cave. He unscrewed
the object glass from Voules's telescope, but in vain tried to obtain a
light. The sticks might have b