e
energetic spirit, who maintained a sort of leadership over the rest.
What this intelligence was I could not tell, nor indeed, should I have
taken notice of the indications of its existence, had it not been for
what occurred afterwards. I observed them now and then whispering to
one another; as they did so casting side-glances towards Brace and
myself. At other times I caught now one, and now another, gazing upon
me, and with a wild wolfish look, that rendered me, though I could not
tell why, singularly uneasy. I noticed that they appeared as if they
did not like to be detected while thus looking at me; and ever as I
returned their glances they suddenly lowered their eyes or averted their
faces. They then appeared as men who have been detected in some mean or
guilty action.

As it appeared to me that they looked in a similar manner at my
companion, and at one another as well, I fancied that the strange
expression that had struck me must be one characteristic of extreme
hunger, and I thought no more about it.

On the following day, however, I observed that the whispering among them
increased; and was accompanied with a greater variety of gesticulation
and excitement.

Brace also noticed it, and guessed better than I what all this
freemasonry meant--at least he was nearer the truth, for he was still
ignorant of the full purpose of those ruffian conspirators.

He whispered to me what he supposed they were after--with the design of
breaking the terrible truth to me as gently as possible. But I had now
better than half divined it, and his communication did not startle me.

"Some one got to die, lad. I s'pose they're talkin' o' castin' lots who
it'll be--well, we must take our chance along with the rest."

Just as Brace had finished his speech one of the men rose up upon the
raft; and, calling the attention of the others, begged to make a
proposal to them.

The speech by which he introduced his proposal was brief, indeed, and to
the point. In fact, he came to the proposition almost at once, which
was simply--that one of the party must die to save the rest--that they
had still water--but no food; and all must perish unless they could
eat--that they could not eat unless--

But I cannot repeat the dread arguments which he made use of, brief
though they were--for his speech was short, and, having delivered it, he
sat down again.

There was a short pause, and then another rose and addressed the crowd.
This man