ng on turtle."

While Peter prepared breakfast, Pat climbed one of the cocoa-nut trees,
and sent down nuts enough to afford each of the party a refreshing
draught of liquid. It could not properly be called milk, as it had not
yet assumed its white appearance, which it does only after the nut is
perfectly ripe. It was welcome, notwithstanding. Though a small cask
of water had been brought on shore, Tom wisely wished to husband it
until a spring had been discovered. About this the doctor was very
doubtful, and Pat, whom he questioned on the subject, stated that he had
not discovered any signs of water.

"I should have wished to search for water the first thing," observed
Tom; "but whether it is to be found or not, it is most important that we
should ascertain whether the boat was washed up on the beach, and if she
can be repaired to enable us to return to the wreck."

"Can you show us where you came on shore, Pat?"

"Bedad, sir, I've been wandering up and down so many times, that I am
not quite certain; but it's my belief that if she is to be found
anywhere, it will be away to the northward, for I didn't see her at the
other end."

"Then we will set off without delay," said Tom; and taking Pat, he and
Desmond, with Jerry Bird, commenced a search for the boat in the
direction Pat mentioned.

The sandy beach was divided in many places by masses of coral extending
some distance into the water, among which the boat might easily be
concealed. Had she, however, been thrown on any of them, she would, Tom
feared, in all probability be knocked to pieces. The surprising thing
was that Pat had not seen her. It appeared from his account that when
he had partially recovered his senses, finding himself on shore, he had
set off in a confused state of mind, without knowing where he was going,
and that some time must have elapsed before he came entirely to himself.

"Suppose we do not recover the boat, how are we to visit the wreck?"
asked Desmond.

"We must build a smaller raft out of the large one, which we can much
more easily manage; and should the weather continue calm, as there
appears to be no strong current likely to drive us away, we may, I
think, without much risk easily make the trip there and back," answered
Tom.

"But how are we to carry a cargo?" inquired Desmond.

"We must form another raft on board, and the materials will serve for
building our hut," was the answer.

"Then you think we shall have to re