some cave in which he would be sheltered from the rays of the sun; but
none was to be found and he only kept cool by wading into the sea at
intervals, yet such immersions increased his thirst. All day long he
scanned the horizon in the direction of Callao, looking in vain for the
black smoke of the steamer; but hour after hour passed and there was no
sign of it.

During the afternoon he found a shelf of rock under which there was some
shelter from the heat. He sat under its shade suffering terribly from
the intensity of thirst. Then his mind was somewhat disturbed by seeing
a tremendous cloud of pelicans headed for the island. They circled
round arid round and lit in a confused mass on the narrow beach. There
were several thousand of them and he gazed at them with interest. They
went through a regular drill, in squads, which is the habit of those
queer but unclean birds. The smell from them was almost overpowering.
They would stand straight up in long rows, looking wise and solemn,
while two very dignified birds marched up and down in front of the lines
for all the world like military grandees reviewing a dress parade. Their
drill must have occupied at least two hours, then the ranks were broken
and they went into the sea in search of fish.

Paul's suffering from thirst became almost intolerable, his tongue was
swollen and his mind was being affected. At last he saw the smoke of the
steamer as the sun was going down. He was seized with an idea that she
would miss him in the darkness and he decided to return and give himself
up if she did, preferring to be shot rather than to die of thirst on
that desolate island. He put on his dress and paddled out until he
could see by the steamer's mast that she was head on, then he laid still
and awaited her coming. Close and closer she approached until he could
see the lookout. He waved his paddle vigorously and they saw him. To his
intense joy, she slowed down, a boat dropped from her side and he was
soon on board and hurried below much to the amazement of the passengers.
He was received kindly by the Captain and made comfortable. Everything
had been attended to by his friends, all his luggage, even to the pets
were aboard.

The steamer only touched at one more Peruvian port, Paita, and while
they stopped there, Paul went below and turned coal heaver; but on
account of the wires being destroyed no news of his escape had reached
that port and no search was made. Nex