erever they are."

"A good idea of yours, Holt," answered the doctor, "though, as probably
they would have been able to kill a seal or two, I have no apprehension
on that score. My idea is that the boat has met in with an accident
somewhere round the coast. The danger is that you may miss them, as
they will probably take the shortest route across the country. We will
talk the matter over. It is late for starting to-day; but if they do
not appear to-night, or early to-morrow morning, I should say that you
ought to set off."

Had Fanny Morley been consulted she might possibly have advised the
ensign to set off immediately. She was very grateful to him when she
heard of his proposal; and she and Emma assisted Mrs Rumbelow in
arranging some knapsacks and baskets, in which he and his companions
might carry provisions for the party.

The day passed by--the morning came--the boat did not appear--and the
ensign, with two men and young Broke, who begged to accompany them,
prepared to set out on their expedition.

Few would have recognised the helpless creature who landed on the island
a short time before in the active young man, with a bright and
intelligent eye, who was to lead the party. He felt that he had work
before him, and that he could be of use to his fellow-creatures.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE WRECK OF THE CRUSADER.

WATCHING SHIP FROM FLAGSTAFF-HILL--SHIP APPROACHES HARBOUR--PRONOUNCED
TO BE AN EMIGRANT SHIP--LAUNCHING BOAT TO ASSIST SHIP--SHIP ENTERS THE
SOUND--THE EMIGRANT SHIP IN DANGER--CUTTER PUTS OFF--THE SHIP ANCHORS
NEAR REEF--BOAT GETS ALONGSIDE--MRS CLAGGET'S TONGUE HEARD--PASSENGERS
LOWERED INTO BOAT--DANGEROUS PASSAGE TO THE SHORE--THE "CRUSADER" DRIVEN
ON THE REEF--WATCHING WRECK FROM THE BEACH--HARRY RETURNS TO THE WRECK--
BILL WINDY'S BRAVE EXPLOIT--COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED WITH SHORE--SEA
BREAKING OVER SHIP--CAPTAIN WESTERWAY THE LAST TO LEAVE--ENCAMPMENT ON
THE SHORE--GOOD HOPE FOR THE FUTURE--ARRIVAL OF ENSIGN HOLT--MUTINY
AMONG THE CREW--MAWSON RINGLEADER OF MUTINEERS--RESOLVE TO BUILD A
VESSEL.

We left Harry Shafto and his companions on the brow of the hill,
watching with intense eagerness the ship they had just discovered as she
endeavoured to beat up towards the mouth of the harbour.

"They must have seen our hut blazing during the night, and it probably
served them as a beacon," remarked Harry. "What we considered our
misfortune was to their advantage."

"Ay, ay, Mr Shaf