t melancholy.

A short time before, under the influence of the colonel's philosophical
words, they had felt in some manner resigned to a fate that nothing
could avert. Now it was ten times more horrible and loathsome to
contemplate, ten times harder to realize.

Absurd as it seemed, fresh hope sprang up in their hearts, and they
tried to reason themselves into the belief that some unlooked-for chance
of escape would offer itself yet.

Even the colonel's mood had changed, and it was easy to see that he was
struggling with some terrible emotion.

The desire for life that was strong within him suggested to Guy a new
plan; nothing, indeed, that offered any hope of escape, but merely a
solution to his curiosity.

He remembered that on each occasion when their canoe had been caught by
the influx of the river it had been carried direct to this island, a
fact which seemed to prove the existence of a sluggish current through
the center of the lake.

Did this current continue on past the island, and if so, whither did it
lead?

A solution to these two problems Guy was curious to obtain.

It served to occupy his mind, to keep his thoughts from dwelling on the
horrible fate that was in store for him.

It was more than likely, he told himself, that whirlpools would be found
in the center of the lake. Well, drowning would be an easy death
compared to the lingering tortures of starvation.

CHAPTER XXX.

A STRANGE DISCOVERY.

Guy's explanation of his intentions was received without comment.
Presently the colonel said, "You forget that we no longer have a canoe,
Chutney. We are prisoners on this island."

"But we have a raft," replied Guy, "and a good one, too. It would be
much more convenient and comfortable to travel on."

"Suppose we try it," said Forbes. "Anything to get away from this
place."

"We can't get into a worse hole, that's true," added the colonel. "I
believe you are right about the current, Chutney, though it can only
land us on the edge of some whirlpool."

Sir Arthur was as eager as the rest to get away. He had passed through
so many horrors, he said, that he had become accustomed to them, and it
mattered little what the future held in store for him. The raft was dug
out from the sand and found to be in perfect condition. It was fastened
together with twisted withes of some flexible wood. It was no easy task
to get it into the water, but by all working together, and using the
guns and padd