k on the rocks, and have been injured," observed
Emma; "or, as the wind blows down the harbour, that may have delayed
him."

"But the wind was blowing up the harbour all day," said Fanny. "I hope
Dr Davis will send an expedition along the shore to search for them.
They took, I am afraid, but a small amount of provisions, and may be
suffering from hunger."

"I daresay they will, after all, appear early to-morrow," observed Emma.
"They can row up, if they are unable to sail."

Fanny was less hopeful than her sister. She could not help
acknowledging to herself that she felt a deep interest in the brave
young officer, under whose guidance, and in consequence of whose
judgment and courage, the lives of the whole party had--humanly
speaking--been preserved. Though Harry had treated her, and her mother
and sister, with the most gentle and thoughtful attention, he had not by
word or look showed that he felt especial regard for her. But this, she
was sure that, under the circumstances in which they were placed, he
would be very careful to avoid doing, "Yet why should I allow such
thoughts to enter my mind," she said to herself. "Perhaps it may be our
lot never to leave this place, and how selfish in me to think thus when
my poor mother is weighed down with such a burden of grief, which it
should be my sole thought how best to alleviate!"

The morning came. The gale was blowing with even greater violence than
during the night. Still there were no signs of the boat. The seamen
told the doctor that this was no wonder, as she would be unable to get
up while the wind held in its present quarter. Still, several of them
went down along the shore to a considerable distance, but came back
without having seen any signs of the missing party, two of them who went
beyond the rest declaring that they could not get any further, as Tippo
Sahib had chased them, and that they had had to run for their lives.

The usual Sunday service was conducted in the men's hut, and all seemed
especially serious and attentive. As soon as it was over, Ensign Holt,
as he accompanied the doctor to their hut, said, "I hope all is well
with Shafto; but still the ladies seem very anxious about him; and if
you will let me, doctor, I will start off, and try to find our friends.
I daresay, one or two of the men will be ready to accompany me, and we
will take as large a supply of provisions as we can carry. They may, at
all events, be hard up for food, wh