anxious-eyed where she knelt, her hand upon my shoulder.

"Why, Joan," says I drowsily, "my lady--"

"You are groaning, Martin, so I came to you."

"Groaning?" says I, flinching from her touch. "'Twas nought! An ill
fancy--a dream, no more. But here is the sun well up and I a-snoring--"

"Nay, you groaned and cried out, Martin. And 'tis yet full early."

"And you'll be mighty hungry and for that matter so am I!" So saying I
rose and, without more ado, strode away across the sands towards the
reef. Now as I went, I chanced upon a great turtle-shell (to my joy!)
and divers others marvellously shaped and tinted, and chose such as
might serve us for cups and the like. With these beneath my arm I
clambered out upon the reef and (the tide being out) saw many rocks,
amongst which I had soon collected good store of shell-fish as limpets,
oysters, and others much like to a periwinkle though larger. Filling
my turtle-shell with these I took it 'neath my arm again and went on,
following the curve of the reef, clambering over these slimy rocks, and
found it no small labour what with my burden and the heat of the sun;
but I persevered, seeking some fragment of our boat or the stores
wherewith she had been so well laden. Yet, and search how I might,
found nought to reward me. Having thus traversed the whole reef and
explored the rocks beyond very thoroughly, I cast me down beside the
lagoon to bathe my hands and face and rest myself awhile. Presently,
chancing to turn my head, I saw a place of trees hard by, and started
up, my weariness clean forgotten. For divers of these trees bore great
clusters of yellowish fruit, the which I knew for a sort of plantain,
very wholesome and of delicate savour. So, casting out my limpets and
periwinkles, I hasted to pluck good store of this fruit, and with my
turtle-shell thus well laden, hastened back to our refuge very well
content.

My companion being absent I seated myself in the shade and began
opening the oysters with my knife as well as I might; in the which
occupation she presently found me, and grew very merry at my clumsy
efforts. And now I noticed that she had wrought her long hair into two
braids very thick and glossy, also she had somehow contrived to mend
the rents in her gown and her torn sleeve.

"Why, you have combed your hair!" says I wondering and speaking my
thought aloud.

"With my fingers, they must be my comb until you can make me a
better--alack, my po