ever, to clear the boatswain's nostrils and mouth of sand, and at
length had the satisfaction of seeing him open his eyes, his first
impulse being to try and get up. He could not as yet speak, and gazed
about him wondering what had happened. The shrieks of the birds still
hovering near reminded him, and he soon came to.

"Thank you, young gentlemen; if it hadn't been for you, I don't know
what would have happened," he said, in a faint voice. He had reason,
indeed, to thank the midshipmen; for had they not stayed by him, he
would, to a certainty, have been suffocated. Some time had thus been
spent. They had been longer making the passage than they had expected,
and night was fast approaching. They were wet and hungry, and not very
well satisfied with their performances; knowing also that, whether a
boat was sent for them or not, they would all be severely reprimanded on
their return on board.

After sitting for some time, the boatswain declared that he should catch
his death of cold if he remained quiet much longer; so, getting up, they
all three set off running to try and restore circulation. No sooner did
the winged inhabitants of the island see them on the move than, perhaps
supposing that they were again about to invade their nests, with loud
shrieks they darted once more to the attack, flying round and round
them, and every now and then threatening to pounce down and attack their
faces. Even when they did stop, the enraged creatures hovered round
them, giving them no rest, and keeping them constantly on the watch to
ward off their threatening beaks. At last Tom thought of the paddles,
which had been left in the canoe, and, making their way back to her, he
and Desmond armed themselves each with one, which were likely to prove
more serviceable weapons than the heavy muskets. The birds seemed to be
of this opinion, for no sooner did the midshipmen boldly assault them
than they flew off to their nests. The boatswain, between his fear of
catching cold should he lie down in his wet clothes, and his weariness,
was in a sad perplexity. At length, however, he threw himself on the
sand, declaring that he could no longer move about, and must submit to
his fate, whatever that might be. The midshipmen themselves were
getting somewhat tired, but tried to amuse themselves by talking of old
times, every now and then taking an anxious look in the direction of the
ship, in the hopes of seeing a boat coming to their assis