from the reef,
and was returning with them when he saw a cask, which from its
appearance he hoped contained biscuits. He at once rolled it up to his
hut, then set about collecting wood for a fire.

He easily found a supply of dry sticks which, with some pieces of wreck,
were amply sufficient for his wants. As he was collecting the sticks he
was delighted to see the number of birds as well as animals inhabiting
the island.

"If I can catch you fellows, I shall have no want of food," he observed.
"I must set my wits to work, and make some traps."

A couple of large clam shells which he had found on the beach, served to
carry water. He had in his pocket a flint and steel, with which he soon
managed to produce a blaze. While the shell-fish were cooking, he
opened the cask, which he found contained flour. Though the outside was
wet, by digging down to a little depth, he found the interior perfectly
dry. A clam shell served him as a kneading-dish, and he quickly made
some dough cakes, which he baked in the embers. He was thus able to
enjoy a very satisfactory breakfast, although he had cold water alone as
a beverage. There were a number of other casks and cases, and he hoped
to find among them some more flour, and perhaps some tea or coffee, and
salt beef or pork.

The first thing to be done was to secure all the articles which came on
the beach, before another tide should float them off. He at once set
about this. It was somewhat hard work, for many of the cases were
heavy, and he could with difficulty drag them over the soft sand.
Having drawn up all he could see floating on the shores of the bay, he
bethought him that by going further to the south, he might find others
in the bay off which the ship struck.

He accordingly set out, and climbing over the intervening rocks, what
was his surprise on looking down to see a person at work, whom he
recognised as Lord Reginald. He at once guessed how he was employed.

"It isn't fair to let him do that work all alone, though I'd rather have
kept clear of him, and very likely he'll not take in good part whatever
offer I make," he said to himself.

He approached, and was received as he expected. The interview has
already been described. Dick felt a sincere grief when he found Ben
Rudall's body among the drowned; it was not likely that any others had
escaped. The headland which extended away to the westward, would
prevent any persons landing on that side, and he