r for a moment suppose that you will
have any permanent enjoyment in an idle life.

We had got nearly half-way across the Indian Ocean, when, one day as I
was aloft, I saw in the far distance an object which looked like a log
of wood, with a tiny white sail appearing above it. I hailed the deck,
and Mr Thudicumb bringing his glass, came up to look at it. After some
time it was reported to the captain, and the ship was kept away towards
it. As we approached, Mr Thudicumb said it appeared to him like a
canoe; but though she seemed to be steering steadily before the wind, no
one could be seen aboard her.

CHAPTER FIVE.

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR OF THE LASCARS.

Numerous telescopes were turned towards the object I have described. "I
see a man's head!" cried one. "Yes; and his shoulders!" exclaimed
another. "He is leaning back in the stern of the canoe, steering with a
paddle." He had not discovered us, though, for on he went careering
over the seas as unconcernedly as if he were not some hundreds of miles
away from land.

In a short time we were abreast of the canoe, passing her to leeward. A
dark-skinned man, lightly clad, sat in the stern steering with an oar.
His sail was a piece of calico spread on a slender yard, the mast being
scarcely thicker than the yard. Not till we were close to him did he
perceive us. Lifting up his hands towards the ship, he pointed to his
mouth, making an imploring gesture at the same time. Apparently he was
trying to speak, but his voice was too weak to be heard. Still he sat
as before, not attempting to rise and lower the sail; but on went the
light canoe, dancing from wave to wave, now gliding down from the top of
one, quickly to mount to the summit of another.

"I doubt, sir, whether he has got the strength to move," said Mr
Thudicumb to the captain. "Or he is afraid of his canoe broaching to,
should he attempt to leave the helm."

"We must run on, and heave to for him," said Captain Davenport. "We can
then lower a boat and pick him up. It is as you suppose, Thudicumb; I
have no doubt about it."

The poor occupant of the canoe made a gesture of despair as he saw the
ship leaving him astern. Apparently he did not understand the meaning
of the words addressed to him through the captain's speaking-trumpet.
Still he sat as before, his eyes kept constantly ahead, while with one
arm he directed the course of his canoe. She flew so fast that we had
to get a considerable