ariety to the silence.

The afternoon drew on, and at last Bowler said--

"Better let the beggar in."

"Hadn't we better all turn out and see what's to be done?" said Gayford.
"We shall only come to grief here. The grub won't hold out for another
meal, and then it'll be something more than a joke."

"Come on, then, you fellows," said Bowler. And the roof was hauled
down, and the party turned dismally out once more to seek their fortune.

Chapter IV. Consolation.

Our heroes, who in all their anticipations had never calculated on
anything but fine weather and unlimited rations and congenial
occupation, began to entertain serious doubts as to the joys of founding
an empire, as they trailed dreadily along in the rain after Bowler and
Gayford. The weaker of the party had no spirit to suggest anything
themselves, or to question what their leaders suggested; so they
followed doggedly where they were led, neither knowing nor caring
whither.

With Bowler and Gayford it was otherwise. They felt rather ashamed of
themselves for having lost their heads earlier in the day and resolved
now to atone for it in the only way they could. They put a brave face
on the situation, and tried to impart their courage to their followers.

"I tell you what," said Bowler cheerily, as the seven stood again on the
rocks at the water's edge; "it wants a good hour of dark, and the least
thing we can do is to spend the daylight in looking for some proper
place of shelter and something to eat, if we can find it. Suppose I and
Tubbs and Braintree start to walk round this way, and you, Gayford, take
the rest round the other way. If any of us find anything, we'll stop
till the other party come up. I've got my whistle, so we'll be sure to
hear one another."

It could do no harm, and it might do good, so the party tacitly fell in
with the suggestion, and divided itself accordingly. Even Crashford was
wise enough to feel he could gain nothing by sulking, and returned to
his allegiance without demur.

"Can't we have something to eat before we start?" said Wallas.

"My dear fellow," replied Gayford, "I wish we could, but then we shall
have nothing left for to-morrow."

Strange to say, Wallas disputed the matter no further, and turned with
his companions to start on their tour of discovery.

Bowler kept whistling cheerily, and Gayford shouted in reply till the
two parties were out of earshot. Then each walked on in silence,
eagerly