er to a grove of cocoanut-trees, beyond which was
dense forest, and above that, hill and ravine running up glorious in the
golden sunset for hundreds of feet.

"An island--a coral island, I suppose," said the doctor.

"Nay, sir; there's coral all about here, but that's not a coral island;
it runs up too big. I daresay that's been an old volcano some time, and
when we land we shall most likely find a bit of a lake of good water up
yonder among the hills. Yes, that we shall, for look there among the
trees, flashing like in the sunshine; that's a bit of a waterfall. It's
a little river, you see, where the lake empties out."

The doctor nodded. "I think we have seen enough for this evening,
Bostock," he said, with a sigh; "everything would look so beautiful if
one did not feel so sad."

"Sad, sir?" cried the old sailor, wonderingly. "What, with young Master
Carey coming round instead o' lying dead and cold; and us safe and sound
with a well-stored ship anchored under our feet?"

"Yes, that is all good and comforting, Bostock," said the doctor; "but
what about all our companions and friends?"

"Ay, and mates too," said the old sailor. "Yes, that's bad, but there's
always a bit o' blue sky behind the clouds. Who knows, sir, but what
they may all be making for port over this smooth red sea after riding
out the storm?"

"I hope they are," said the doctor, fervently.

"Same here, sir," said the old sailor. "Perhaps they are, and mebbe
just at this here very blessed moment there's some on 'em feeling as
sorry as we are 'cause they think as the _Susan's_ gone down in the deep
sea and taken with her that there dear boy, the doctor, and poor old Bob
Bostock. Ay, sir, some of our chaps didn't much like me, because I was
hard on some o' the young ones over making 'em tackle to. But I'll be
bound to say, sir," cried the old man, chuckling till the tears stood in
his eyes, "some on 'em'll be saying among theirselves that old Bob
Bostock was as good a mate as ever stepped the deck."

"I hope so too," said the doctor, smiling; "people are very fond of
finding out a man's good qualities when he's dead."

"But I aren't dead, sir, and I don't mean to be dead as long as I can
help it. But don't you feel awful sick and faint, sir?"

"Faint?"

"Yes, sir. Human nature's human nature, you know, sir, and if you stop
its victuals it gets ravenish. I aren't had a mouthful of anything but
salt water for quite thirty hours,