don't let us go
without firearms."

The doctor had a fowling-piece, and muskets and pistols enough were
found to arm each of the rest of the party. With a good supply of
ammunition they would thus, should they meet with hostile savages, be
able to keep them at bay.

They had already secured provisions sufficient to last them for several
weeks. As it was important, however, to obtain some of a more
substantial character, Jerry and Tim volunteered to dive down into the
fore hold to try and get up some casks of beef. This, after some labour
and no little risk of drowning themselves, they succeeded in doing, and
two casks of beef were hoisted on deck. They fortunately came upon two
casks, one of flour the other of rice, which, although damaged by the
water, might be dried on shore in the sun, and rendered eatable. These
accordingly were added to their provisions. Two cases of wine and a
small keg of spirits were also put on board. Peter added to these some
cooking utensils, with cups, plates, knives, and forks. At length, Tom
declared that the raft would carry no more. It was high time indeed to
set off, as it might take them until dark to reach the land in sight.

"Let me advise you, gentlemen, to carry some clothing and blankets; they
will not weigh much, and we may want them," observed the doctor.

His advice was followed.

"We must get on board and shove off," cried Tom, at last.

His messmates and the men obeyed him, being fully as eager as he was.
The doctor was below; he presently appeared with his medicine chest and
instrument case, which were handed down.

"Why, we are going off without a chart or nautical instrument!"
exclaimed Tom, reminded of his negligence by seeing the doctor's cases.

He and Desmond returned on board and found the chart, sextant, and
chronometer, which the boatswain had fortunately not carried off.

"The raft is as fully laden as she should be," observed Tom to Desmond;
"we should arrange what things to heave overboard, if it comes on to
blow and she cannot carry them all."

"The doctor's physic, cases, and instruments, I should say," answered
Desmond; "however, I hope we shall not have to do that. The weather
looks promising. As the wind is fair, we may soon reach the land."

These remarks were made on deck. The two midshipmen now sprang on board
the raft. Tom gave the order to cast off, and all hands getting out the
oars and paddles, the raft began to move away from