er you both."

After a few more words, our friends recognized him as a tall,
pale-looking man, with whom they had exchanged greetings more than once
on their passage from Panama.

"I've been down to the Isthmus," he added, "and was on my way home when
the steamer took fire."

"Where were you when you heard the alarm?"

"Sound asleep in my berth; I had no time even to put on my clothes; but,
thank God, if I can escape in any way."

"Stick to us, and help shove this craft, and I'm in hopes we'll fetch up
somewhere by morning."

CHAPTER V.

LAND.

Under the united propulsion of three men and a large Newfoundland dog,
the small raft moved shoreward with no insignificant speed. It was found
amply sufficient to preserve them all from drowning had none known how
to swim, provided they managed the matter prudently. There is so little
difference in the quantity of water and the human body, that a slight
effort, if properly made, will keep it afloat. The trouble with new
beginners is that when they first go beyond their depth their blind
struggles tend to carry them downward more than upward.

"This is rather pleasant," remarked Mr. Yard. "There is little doubt, I
think, of reaching land. There is only one thing that makes the shivers
run over me."

"What is that?"

"The thought of _sharks_!"

"Ugh! Why did you spake of them?" asked Tim, with a strong expression of
disgust. "I've been thinking of 'em ever since I've been in the water,
but I didn't want to skeer the boys."

"They never once entered my head," said Howard.

"Nor mine either," added Elwood. "Are they in this part of the ocean?"

"You will find them in almost every part of the sea, I was going to say.
They abound off the coast of California."

"But it is night, and they will not be apt to see!"

"This fire and the numbers of drowning people will draw hundreds of the
finny inhabitants toward us. You know a fire at night is sure to attract
fish."

"You seem determined to frighten us," said Howard, "but I shall continue
to think that God who has so mercifully saved us intends to save us to
the end."

"Perhaps so, too, but it does no harm to understand all the dangers to
which we are subject."

"I believe with Howard," said Elwood. "I ain't afraid of sharks, but for
all that, they are ugly creatures. They swim under you and the first
thing you know clip goes one of your legs off, just the same as a pair
of snuffers would clip off a piec