rm.

"Don't see no prospect o' change, sir."

"Because as soon as we possibly can, I want the rock properly gone over
by a strong party, so that we can make sure that there is no other
landing-place. We may run down that bear of yours."

"Yes, sir. He was here again last night."

"Did you see it?"

"No, sir; or I should have spoke."

"No, no; unless the beast proves dangerous, I will not have it shot."

"But the beggar carried off a whole lot o' biscuit last night, sir, and
a lump o' cold junk."

"Well, that must be stopped at any rate. What do you say to half a
dozen men being told off to lie in wait for the brute to-night?"

"No, sir; it's what do you?"

"I say yes," said Syd, and the boatswain brightened up.

"With pistols, of course, sir?"

"No, certainly not," replied Syd, decidedly. "If we have firing in the
dark there may be some accident. Select five men. There will be
yourself, Mr Roylance, and I shall be there too. Eight of us ought to
hold him if he comes."

"And come he will, sir. You'll go over the island to-morrow?"

"Yes."

"But you didn't say you'd have another thing found."

"What?"

"Water, sir. If the _Sirius_ is going to leave us here, water must be
had."

That was a serious matter. With the gale blowing there was nothing to
mind as to the sun, but Syd felt that the heat would be felt terribly as
soon as the wind sank, and with no slight feeling of uneasiness he went
to his rough quarters, looked into the hospital, where the lieutenant
lay muttering in his delirium, and beckoned Roylance to come and join in
the meal.

"Takes one's appetite away to see that poor fellow lying there," said
Roylance, summoning one of the men to take his place.

"But we must eat to work," said Syd, firmly. "Here's Terry, I'll ask
him to come and victual. I hate seeing him keeping aloof. Mr Terry,
coffee is served. Will you join us?"

Terry started a little, and his face relaxed into a smile.

"Yes," he said quietly, "I am very hungry."

The ice was broken, and the three young fellows sat down to their rough
meal, one which was, however, thoroughly enjoyed--Terry seeming quite to
have forgotten the trouble that had caused the estrangement.

But Roylance had not, and that night he said to Syd--

"Don't trust him."

"Trust whom?"

"Terry. I may be wrong, but if ever a fellow's eyes looked one thing
and meant another, his did this evening."

"Fancy. He's beaten, and he has