e supposed himself to be mistaken. He did not
forget to speak a few words to his female passengers.

"Oh, Mr Shafto, cannot you give us more water?" exclaimed Mrs
Twopenny. "We have only had that little tin caseful a-piece the whole
of this morning, and the doctor says we must be contented with it."

"We are under the doctor's orders on that point," answered Harry, afraid
that others might join in the complaint made by the poor lady. "Captain
Twopenny will, I am sure, agree with me in the importance of following
his advice."

The captain, however, had no little difficulty in tranquillising the
invalid lady. She had been accustomed all her life to be petted, and to
have what she asked for, and was little prepared to endure the trials
she would now be called upon to go through.

"It must be near noon," said Willy, remembering that an observation had
to be taken. Harry pulled out his watch--there was but little time to
lose. The quadrant was got ready. Harry felt somewhat weak, as he
stood up with it at his eye, while Willy, with note-book in hand, marked
down the degrees as he read them off. After a satisfactory observation
was taken, the result showed that they were somewhat farther to the
north than the latitude where they had left the ship, while he
calculated that, since then, they had run upwards of a hundred miles.
Still their distance to the nearest known land was very considerable.
Water, Harry feared, would be their chief want. His mind on that point
was, however, somewhat relieved when Willy, coming aft, told him that
the doctor hoped to manufacture a still for producing fresh water from
that of the sea.

"He forgets the amount of fuel he will require for the purpose,"
remarked Harry.

"He told me not to be unhappy about that," answered Willy. "Perhaps he
expects to catch a whale."

Harry smiled faintly at the notion.

"But we may catch some smaller creatures, though," exclaimed Willy. "I
have just found a harpoon, and Paul Lizard has often told me that he is
a first-rate harpooner, and has struck many a porpoise and dolphin in
his time."

"Please, sir, if we can see one of those creatures, I have little fear
but what we may manage him," observed Paul, who was standing steering
close to them.

Harry's hopes revived on hearing this; not that he would have allowed
anybody to suppose that he entertained any fears about the ultimate
safety of those confided to his charge.

The day was emplo