at all were much cast down by this happening.
When the steamer had headed directly for them they had thought sure
they would be rescued.

"They must have done it deliberately," said Mr. Tarbill. "Oh, the
villains! the scoundrels!"

"I don't believe that," answered Captain Spark. "More'n likely
they didn't see us. No captain would be so inhuman as to pass us
by."

Two hours dragged by slowly. Tim Flynn was tired out with much
watching and had lain down and Ned Scudd had taken his place.

"I see something," said Ned, presently. "Don't know what it is."

He pointed to the southward. There was some low-lying object, with
the waves dashing against it.

"Perhaps it's a ship with the masts gone," said Mr. Carr.

"Or a dead whale," suggested Bob.

"It's too big for either a ship or a whale," said the captain.
"Let us sail toward it and make an inspection."

"Don't--don't run into any new danger!" pleaded Mr. Tarbill.

"Anything is better than to remain out on this dreary waste of
waters," answered Mr. Carr.

The castaways turned their boat in the direction of the distant
object. It was further off than they had anticipated, and as they
slowly approached they made out a long, low-lying island, covered
with bushes and grass. Over the island hovered myriads of birds.

"An island!" cried Bob. "Now we can go ashore anyhow!"

"Not much of a place, I am afraid," answered Captain Spark, slowly
taking in the spot from end to end with his sharp eyes.

"Well, it's better nor nuthin," came from Tim Flynn. "Sure, an'
some av thim burds will make good eatin', so they will!"

"We want to be careful how we go ashore," cautioned the captain.
"We don't want to damage our boat."

They approached the new land cautiously. The water all around it
seemed to be deep, so there was no danger of striking a hidden reef.

Presently the captain espied a sandy beach, and straight for this
the craft was headed. As the boat struck, Bob, Tim and Ned leaped
out, followed by Mr. Carr, and, aided by the swells, pulled her
well up.

"Am I--er--to get out?" asked Mr. Tarbill timidly.

"As you please," answered Captain Spark, grimly. "I am going
ashore."

"Then I'll go, too--I don't want to be left alone," said the
nervous passenger.

Soon all were on the beach, and then the boat was dragged higher up
still, and tied to several of the low trees near by.

"Let me shoot some birds--they will make fine eating," said Bob to
the