d his stroke to that of his companion,
and thus they breasted the gently-rolling billows until finally,
completely exhausted, they climbed up the shelving rocks and lay down in
the warm sunshine.

"Not a very encouraging outlook," said Johnston, rising when his
clothing was dry and climbing a slight elevation. "There is nothing
in sight except a waste of stone. Let's go up to that point and look
around."

The ascent was exceedingly trying, for the incline was steep and it was
at times difficult to get a firm footing. But they were repaid for the
exertion, for they had reached the highest point of the island and could
see all over it. As far as their vision reached there was nothing beyond
the little island except the glistening waves that reached out till
they met the sky in all directions. High up in the clouds they saw the
balloon, now steadily drifting with the wind toward the south.

"We might as well be dead and done with it," grumbled Thorndyke. "Ships
are not apt to approach this isolated spot, and even if they did, how
could we give a signal of distress?"

Johnston stroked his dark beard thoughtfully, then he pointed toward the
shore.

"There are some driftwood and seaweed," he said; "with my sun-glass I
can soon have a bonfire." He took a piece of punk from a waterproof box
that he carried in his pocket and focussed the sun's rays on it. "Run
down and bring me an armful of dry seaweed and wood," he added, intent
on his work.

Thorndyke clambered down to the shore, and in a few minutes returned
with an armful of fuel. Johnston was blowing his punk into a flame, and
in a moment had a blazing fire.

"Good," approved the Englishman, rubbing his hands together over the
flames. "We'll keep it burning and it may do some good." Then a smile of
satisfaction came over his face as he began to take some clams from his
pockets. "Plenty of these fellows down there, and they are as fat and
juicy as can be. Hurry up and let's bake them. I'm as hungry as a bear.
There is a fine spring of fresh water below, too, so we won't die of
thirst."

They baked the clams and ate them heartily, and then went down to the
spring near the shore. The water was deliciously cool and invigorating.
The sun sank into the quiet ocean and night crept on. The stars came out
slowly, and the moon rose full and red from the waves, adding its beams
to the flickering light of the fire on the hill-top.

"Suppose we take a walk all round on the b