rst thing we have
to do, that is certain."

Langton's assistance was of great value, as he was experienced, and very
active. Having lashed all the spars they could find of about the same
length side by side, they crossed them with others of a smaller size,
and pieces of plank, placing a sort of platform in the centre, the whole
being lashed together with ropes which they cut off the spars. It was,
of course, roughly formed, but was large enough to support, not only
themselves, but any other people they were likely to pick up. By the
time it was finished, Ashurst had somewhat recovered, and Langton and
Owen carried him and placed him on the platform where he could be out of
the wet. They had kept two of the lighter spars for a mast and yard,
and they picked up a royal unburnt, which would serve as a sail.

Dawn broke just as they were ready to shove off from the wreck.

"Where are we going?" asked Ashurst, in a faint voice.

"To the nearest shore we can reach," answered Langton; "when there we
must consider what next to do."

"Can't you give me some water, or some fruit? I am very thirsty," said
Ashurst.

"I am sorry we have nothing to give you," answered Langton; "we may
possibly pick up something when we have daylight."

"I've a chaw of baccy, sir," said Mike; "it's me last, but it's at yir
sarvice."

Poor Ashurst uttered an expression of disgust. Just then Owen
thankfully recollected that he had put a couple of small limes, some of
which he had been eating late on the previous evening, into his pocket.
He immediately skinned one of the refreshing fruit, and handed it in
small pieces to Ashurst.

"This from you, Hartley?" he said, as he swallowed it eagerly.

"I have another which will be at your service when you want it," said
Owen, not noticing the remark, and feeling intense pleasure at thus
being able to help his suffering messmate. Every thought of the
ill-treatment he had received vanished from his mind. Langton and Owen
now examined Ashurst's hurts. They found that his left arm had either
been dislocated or broken, and that a splinter had torn his side and
severely wounded him.

"He is in a bad way," whispered Langton to Owen; "had one of the
surgeons been with us, he might have been doctored, but as it is, I do
not think he will weather out what we shall have to endure. I ought to
tell him so if he gets worse, but we will do our best for him."

As daylight increased, they saw other mass