y. "You're just in time
to have some breakfast."

He helped Mr. Tarbill to his feet. The nervous man seemed to
recover rapidly, and when, at Bob's suggestion, he had taken off
most of his wet clothes and was drying out near the fire, his face
took on a more cheerful look.

"Those fish smell fine," he said. "I'm very fond of fish. Are you
sure those are not poisonous?"

"I'm not sure," replied Bob, "and I'm too hungry to care much.
They're a sort of big sun-fish, such as I used to catch at home.
The meat looks nice and white. Better have some. I'll warm them
again."

He put them once more on the pointed sticks near the fire, and when
they were sizzling he laid them on the green leaves. Then, with
sticks for knives and forks, the two castaways made a fairly good
meal.

"I thought I never would see land again," said the nervous man, as
he began to dress in his dry clothes after the breakfast. "This
has been a terrible experience for me."

"I guess it has," admitted Bob. "And for all of us. I wish I knew
what has happened to the captain and the others."

"Our boat was swamped by a big wave," said Mr. Tarbill, "and
suddenly we were all thrown into the water. That is the last I
remember. Perhaps the captain and some of the crew may have swum
ashore on another part of this island."

"I hope so. We'll search for them. I guess we're in for a long
stay."

"Have we got to remain here?" demanded Mr. Tarbill.

"I don't see what else there is to do," replied Bob. "We haven't
any boat, we can't walk on the water, and we'll have to stay until
a ship comes and takes us off."

"Oh, dear!" exclaimed the nervous man. "I wish I had stayed at
home!"

Bob thought he might at least be thankful that his life was spared
and that he was not where he would starve, but the lad concluded it
would be wise to say nothing.

"If you like we'll take a walk around the island, see how large it
is and if there's a place where we can make a sort of shelter,"
proposed Bob.

"I guess that will be the best thing to do. I leave it all to you.
My nerves are in such shape that I can do nothing."

Bob felt not a little proud of the responsibility thus thrust upon
him. He resolved to act wisely and cautiously, for there was no
telling how long they would have to live on the island.

With the boy in the lead the two started off. The sun was now hot
and strong, and they found it advisable to keep in the shade of the
woods as