a few hours, when
they were again becalmed. Thus they lay, making no progress for another
two days. Once more a breeze sprung up, but it was directly in their
teeth. The boat was hauled on the wind and stood to the northward.

"We may have a long beat of it, but it cannot be helped," said Mr
Scoones to Owen.

It was trying work; now they tacked to the south-east, now to the
north-east. The imperfect observations they were able to take showed
them, however, that they had gained some ground Owen cheered the men by
reminding them that they were in the course of homeward and outward
bound vessels, and that they might hope to fall in with one or the
other.

Still day by day went by, and they were yet a long way from land. Once
more the weather changed, and the wind shifted to the northward.

Night came on; Mr Scoones, unwilling to lose advantage of the breeze,
continued to carry all sail, and it was evidently as much as the boat
could bear. During the darkness a squall struck her. Before the sheets
could be let go, the whole of the lighter canvas was blown away. Had
not this happened, the boat would have been upset. She had now but her
fore lug and foresail, so that she could no longer keep close to the
wind without an after oar kept constantly going. The night, however,
passed away without any farther accident. It was not until noon, when
the weather moderated, that all hands turned to and tried to repair the
tattered sails. This operation was almost beyond their power. They
managed, however, to patch up a mizen, which enabled the boat once more
to stand on her proper course.

Several days passed by; no land appeared in sight. Their provisions
were almost exhausted. They had been on short allowance for some time;
but a few pints of water remained in their last cask. Again the boat
lay becalmed. The three men who had escaped with the mate from the
camp--their strength previously weakened by drinking--had given in and
lay at the bottom of the boat, or leaned against the side, unable to
exert themselves.

Mr Scoones, strong and hardy as he had been, was utterly exhausted.
Owen, Nat, and Mike, though feeling weak, were by far the most active of
the crew.

Another day passed by; the carpenter's mate was the first to die, the
other two quickly followed. Owen had endeavoured to restore them by
moistening their parched lips with water; but it was of no avail. He
felt himself imbued with a strength which