xpress myself so that
you will understand? Surely you do not believe me to be such an utterly
selfish and heartless creature as to be glad that you have escaped the
fate of the others merely because, by so doing, you are left alive to be
my helper and protector?"

"No, indeed," answered Leslie, heartily, "I assure you, Miss Trevor--"
He paused abruptly, thought for a moment, and then resumed: "Look here,
we have been thrown together--you and I--and our fates intermingled in a
very extraordinary manner, and we are likely to remain together for some
time longer in fairly intimate association, each of us the sole
companion of the other. Do you not think that, under the circumstances,
we might as well drop the formality of `Mr' and `Miss?' My name is
Richard; but my friends call me Dick, and I should be glad if you would
do the same."

"Very well," answered his companion, "I will willingly do so, if you
really wish it; it would be only prudish to object--under the
circumstances, as you put it. And you, in your turn, may call me Flora,
if the name commends itself to your ear. And now, sir, please go on
again from where you left off."

"Let me see," mused Leslie, "what was it we were talking about? Oh yes,
I remember. You were explaining to me that you were glad I had escaped
drowning not so much because of the use I could be to--"

"Ah," interrupted his companion, "I can see that you are rapidly getting
better, because you are beginning to tease. But, seriously, Mr Les--
well, Dick, then--I want you to tell me something more of your plans.
What do you propose to do first--when you are well enough to work again,
I mean?"

"The first thing I propose to do," answered Leslie, "is to overhaul the
carpenter's chest and satisfy myself as to what tools are at my command.
That done, I shall at once begin to break up the brig, confining
myself, in the first instance, to the removal from her of just
sufficient material to admit of the construction of a raft. The next
thing will be to convey ashore such canvas, rope, and other matters as
may be needed for the erection of a comfortable and commodious tent for
our accommodation ashore; together with all necessary furniture, the
galley stove, pots and pans, and all the rest of it. I am rather
anxious to carry out this much of my plans with as little delay as
possible; because, you see, the weather is one of those things upon
which one can never depend--another gale may spri