h I now know for certain that the only ones with whom I could have
associated are dead!"

Instead of setting to work to try and improve his condition, oppressed
with lassitude, he lay for the remainder of the day in front of his
cave, doing nothing.

Neptune remained by him for some time, then apparently getting weary of
inaction, after playing about on the sand, scampered off into the
interior.

"I hope that he has gone to get me another pigeon, or something else,"
said Lord Reginald, when he found that the dog had disappeared.
"Sagacious brute, he knows my wants, and is sure to bring me something."

Hour after hour, however, passed by, and he began to get very hungry.
The dog did not return, and evening was approaching. He at last got up,
and set off for the spring, to obtain a draught of water, and hoping to
find at all events another cocoanut in the palm grove, where he had
procured the others. Having drunk as much water as he required, he
searched about. Though numbers of cocoanuts grew on the trees above his
head, he could not find one fallen to the ground. There were a few
husks, which had been broken open and their contents abstracted. He
looked about, expecting to see his dog. Neptune did not make his
appearance. All he could do therefore, was to collect some more sticks
to keep up his fire, after which he obtained some clams from the
seashore, off which, though imperfectly cooked, he was fain to make his
supper. He had just finished when he saw Neptune coming towards him,
not scampering along as usual, but advancing slowly, with his tail
between his legs. Lord Reginald looked out eagerly for the pigeon, but
Neptune's mouth had nothing in it. "What, my good dog, have you been
unsuccessful in your hunting?" he said. "It is a bad look-out for me,
as I shall have nothing but these clams. However, you shall share them
with me."

When, however, he offered the shell-fish to the dog, he refused to eat
them, and, looking ashamed of himself, crouched down by his side.

Another night passed away. When the young lord tried to get up in the
morning, his limbs ached, and he found himself much weaker than before.
He became somewhat alarmed. "If this goes on I don't know how it will
end," he said to himself. "It is evident that the clams do not agree
with me; however, as I have nothing else, I must eat some for
breakfast."

In spite of the pain he was suffering, he crawled down to the beach, and
collec