ry
perversity of backsliding!

But this is not a time for the two young men to inquire into the cause
of this falling away, nor might that be a pleasant subject to those who
have thus relapsed, so they refrain from appearing even to notice it.
They are too overjoyed in knowing that they and their companions are no
longer in danger.

Of their safety they have full and instant assurance, by the behaviour
of Eleparu, who has taken in the situation at a glance. Apparently head
of the community, with a shout and authoritative wave of the hand he
sends off those who so lately had threatened to attack them. But all
seem friendly enough, now that they see him so, having, indeed, no
reason to be otherwise. Hunger chiefly had made them hostile; and now
they need hunger no more.

Accordingly, they at once set about appeasing their appetites--on
blubber! Not with indiscriminate appropriation of it, for it is a
supply that must carry them over days, or perhaps weeks. Annaqua, with
another of the old men, serves it out in equal rations, first cutting it
into strips, like strings of sausages, then measuring off
different-sized pieces, according to the sex and age of the recipients.

Strange to say, notwithstanding the keen hunger of those seeking relief,
not one of them touches a morsel till the partition is complete and each
has his share. Then, at a given signal, they fall to, bolting the
blubber raw--only a few of the more fastidious holding it a second or
two in the blaze of the fires, scarcely long enough to scorch it!

During these unpleasant _saturnalia_, mutual explanations are exchanged
between Eleparu and the two young men of his former brief but memorable
acquaintance. He first inquires how they come to be there; then tells
his own story, or such part of it as he desires them to know. They
learn from him that Ocushlu is now his wife; but when questioned about
the boy, and what has become of him, he shows reserve, answering, "Oh,
Jemmy Button--he not of our people; he Tekeneeka. English officer
brought Jemmy back too--left him at Woolya--that his own country--lie
out that way;" and he points eastward along the arm.

Observing his reticence on the subject of Orundelico, the questioners
forbear asking further, while other matters of more importance claim
their attention.

Meanwhile, Ocushlu is engaged in conversation with Mrs Gancy and
Leoline. She is about the same age as the latter; but in other respects
h