to interrupt the course of our narrative by
disquisitions on subjects of natural history, and, therefore, relegate
to a note the following particulars about the dugong. This strange
mammal belongs to a genus of the family _Manatidae_, or Herbivorous
Cetacea. The species of which a member was discovered by our castaways,
is the _Halicore Indicus_, or dugong of the Indian Archipelago; and, as
we have said, is never found very far from land. Its dentition
resembles, in some respects, that of the elephant; and from the
structure of its digestible organs it can eat only vegetable food; that
is, the _algae_, or weeds, growing on submarine rocks in shallow water.
When it comes to the surface to breathe, it utters a peculiar cry, like
the lowing of a cow. Its length, when full-grown, is said to be twenty
feet, but few individuals seem to exceed twelve feet. In its general
appearance it is very much like the _manatee_, or manatus, which haunts
the mouths of the great South American rivers.

CHAPTER FIVE.

RUNNING THE BREAKERS.

The Almighty Hand that had thus far helped the castaways on their
course, with a favouring wind bringing them in sight of Borneo's isle,
was not going to crush the sweet hopes thus raised by wrecking their
boat upon its shores.

And yet for a time it seemed as if this were to be their fate. As they
drew near enough to the land to distinguish its configuration, they saw
a white line like a snow-wreath running between it and them, for miles
to right and left, far as the eye could reach. They knew it to be a
barrier of coral breakers, such as usually encircle the islands of the
Indian seas--strong ramparts raised by tiny insect creatures, to guard
these fair gardens of God against the assaults of an ocean that,
although customarily calm, is at times aroused by the _typhoon_, until
it rages around them with dark scowling waves, like battalions of
demons.

On drawing near these reefs, Captain Redwood, with the eye of an
experienced seaman, saw that while the wind kept up there was no chance
for the pinnace to pass them; and to run head on to them would be simply
to dash upon destruction. Sail was at once taken in, by letting go the
sheet, and dropping the tarpaulin back into the bottom of the boat. The
oar that had been set up as a mast was left standing, for there were
five others lying idle in the pinnace; and with four of these, Saloo and
Murtagh each taking a pair, the boat was manned,