D TO THE CREW.

The position of the men would have been delightful if they had had a
fair stock of provisions. For the cool water rippled by their boat,
there was a refreshing breeze in the shady trees, and a pleasant
sensation of dreamy repose and restfulness came over all as they lay
about watching the dazzling sea and beautiful verdant tropic shore.

And as he gazed, Mark felt that undoubtedly fruit of some kind could be
found sufficient to sustain life; and, with the determination to wait
till another day, when the men would be better able to act, forgetful of
the fact that fasting would make them more unfit, he thought of landing
again directly after daylight, for a search, and then went to the boat
and sat back to gaze out at sea.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mr Vandean, sir! Mr Vandean!"

"Eh? Yes! What's the matter?"

"Nothing sir, only I couldn't wake you up."

"Was I asleep?"

"Yes, sir; we've all been asleep, more shame for me to say so, and the
lads have only just woke me up."

"Oh, it's horrible!" cried Mark; "how can I ever trust myself again?"

"Oh, don't you take on about that, sir: human natur's human natur.
Everybody's weak and queer with the knocking about we had, and the
proper thing for us was to have a good snooze, and we've only been
getting ready to do a good night's work."

Mark looked at Mr Russell, who lay breathing comfortably enough, and
then, in a stern way, he gave orders for the boat to be unmoored, and
Dance rose at once, seeming feeble, but quite in his right mind, and
ready to resent an attempt on the part of Fillot to relieve him of the
task. A good thrust was given to the boat out into the rushing stream,
oars fell on either side, and the men began to row, so as to get out of
the mouth of the river and begin making their way north.

But in a very few minutes Mark was enlightened as to the state of
affairs. While they slept the tide had turned, and in place of a swift
stream of fresh water running out, they were in the rapid tidal current
running in, any doubt he might have had on the subject being set at rest
by scooping up a little water with his hand, to taste it, and find it
salt.

The men were pulling steadily, but with a feeble, slow stroke, which at
first kept them about stationary. Then by slow degrees the boat gave a
little and a little more, till in the waning light Mark saw a cluster of
trees ashore, by w