sible to ascertain in what
direction the raft was drifting. The party on it could only hope that
it was continuing on the same course as before, still it was possible
that it might be drifting out through either of the channels to the
right or left, and that they might miss the island which they had hoped
to reach. Mike and Nat kept up their spirits.

"If it was not for poor Mr Ashurst I'd be afther singing yer a stave to
prevent you from getting down-hearted," exclaimed Mike, "though it would
not do just now, lest the poor young gintleman might be thinking we were
afther wakin' him."

"No, pray do not sing," said Owen; "it would be more sensible to pray
for assistance, for we must admit it is very little we can do to help
ourselves."

During the night they satisfied their hunger with the biscuits,
reserving the fruit for the time when the hot sun would increase their
thirst. Langton persuaded Owen, who had hitherto not slept, to lie down
and take some rest. He was glad to do this, indeed at times he could
scarcely keep his eyes open. He was awakened by an exclamation from
Mike--

"Arrah! now, how's the land got out there?"

He started up, as did Langton, who had also fallen asleep, and on
looking to the eastward he saw two islands, between which the raft must
have drifted some distance astern, a strong current having carried them
through the passage at a faster rate than they had supposed possible.
It was a bitter disappointment. Unless the wind should come from the
west they could not hope to make either of the islands, as they would,
at all events, have the current against them.

"What do you recommend, Langton?" asked Owen.

"We must wait and see what will next happen," answered Langton. "In
case we should be kept out much longer we must economise our provisions.
I have no other fear for the present, unless the weather should
change."

"We can put our trust in God; we know that He orders everything for the
best," said Owen.

They ate a little more biscuit, which was divided in equal shares. Each
took a small portion of fruit. Owen and Langton were looking towards
Ashurst's body.

"We shall not get in in time to bury it after all," observed Langton;
"we must give him a sailor's grave." It was time, indeed, to do so.
"Before we launch the poor fellow overboard let us see what things he
has about him," said Langton.

He took a ring off Ashurst's finger as he spoke. His watch and several
small