partly over under the
cliff, provided shelter for the whole of the women and children; while a
large fire made in front enabled the shipwrecked party to dry their
drenched garments. Willy and Peter hastened off to the spring to obtain
water. The poor children were crying out for food. Such as Harry had
he divided among them and their mothers, but nearly the whole party were
already suffering from hunger.

At the settlement all might be fed and sheltered, but many hours must
elapse before they could reach it. He knew, too, that in the dark it
would be almost hopeless to make the attempt. He resolved, however, to
start the next morning with a party of the men, who might return with
provisions; but in the meantime he feared that many would suffer
greatly. He held a consultation with Captain Westerway, Mr Paget, and
Charles as to what was best to be done.

"Should the weather moderate in the morning, or the wind shift, I still
have hopes that we may get some provisions from the ship," answered the
captain. "If not, the men, at all events, can hold out a few hours; and
as there seems to be an abundance of wood in the island, we may form
litters, and carry the women and children who are unable to walk. We
have hitherto been so mercifully preserved that I do not fear for the
future. Had it not been for the light you showed on shore, Mr Shafto,
we should none of us at this time have been alive. The men were nearly
worn-out at the pumps, and I had no hopes of keeping the ship afloat
many hours longer, when, as we were standing to the eastward, we caught
sight of the light on shore, and I at once knew that it must be on a
part of the Auckland Islands."

"Our hut did not catch fire by chance, then," said Harry. "We were
mourning its loss, little thinking of the advantage it would be to
others. You would probably not have seen the ordinary fire we had kept
burning."

While they were talking a shout was heard, and Willy and Peter Patch
were seen hurrying up, followed by Ensign Holt with a couple of men and
young Broke, each carrying a heavy load of seals' flesh on his
shoulders.

"Here is food for you all, good people," shouted the midshipmen. "No
fear of starving now, for Holt says they left a couple more big fellows
which they knocked on the head not a mile away."

Harry warmly welcomed him. The ensign's astonishment was, as may be
supposed, very great at seeing so large a party. He at once volunteered
to g