o
become more and more frantic, but the gloom of evening soon rendered his
form indistinct, although he could still be seen against the sky. The
breeze having once more almost died away, the paddles were again got
out. The raft neared the shore. There was, they saw, a little surf,
but not sufficient to endanger the raft and cargo. In a few minutes
more the beach would be reached. The savage had disappeared, but a
voice was heard, evidently shouting to them.

"Bedad! but the savage is Pat Casey!" exclaimed Tim, who recognised his
countryman's voice, and, as the raft touched the beach, Pat rushed
forward, and grasped the hands of Jerry and Tim, who sprang overboard to
assist in securing it. The rest of the party quickly followed, as it
was important to lighten the raft as soon as possible.

"Where are the other men?" asked the doctor. "We thought you were all
lost soon after you left the wreck."

"Sure, so they all were entirely but myself," answered Pat; "and how I
came on shore is more than I can tell, except that I'm after supposing I
held on to the bottom of the boat, and this morning I found myself high
and dry on the beach. I'm mighty glad to see you all, and you are
welcome to the island."

"Are there any savages?" asked the doctor.

"Barring myself, no, your honour," answered Pat, with a laugh. "They
would have been down upon me before now if there had been any, but not a
soul have I set eyes on since I came ashore."

However, there was no time for talking, as it was important at once to
land the cargo. The whole party, aided by Pat, immediately set about
performing this task. Everything was got on shore without damage. The
raft itself was then secured by the strongest ropes they possessed to
the trunk of a cocoa-nut tree, which fortunately grew near. Pat had
collected wood for a fire, though he had forgotten that he did not
possess the means of igniting it. But some matches having been
fortunately brought among other things, a bright blaze was soon
produced. By its light, at the doctor's suggestion, a tent was formed
with the sails of the raft and some spare canvas, large enough to afford
shelter to the whole party.

Peter and Pat had been, in the mean time, busily engaged in preparing
supper, to which all hands were ready to do justice.

"Dare, gentl'm," exclaimed Peter, as he placed some slices of fried ham
before the doctor and midshipmen; "you no get better dan dis in de bes'
hotel in