little prostrated. Our minds were also very much exhausted in
consequence of the many surprises, frequent alarms, and much profound
thought to which they had been subjected; so that when we lay down, on
the night of our return, under the shelter of the bower, we fell
immediately into very deep repose. I can state this with much
certainty; for Jack afterwards admitted the fact, and Peterkin, although
he stoutly denied it, I heard snoring loudly at least two minutes after
lying down. In this condition we remained all night and the whole of
the following day without awaking once, or so much as moving our
positions. When we did awake it was near sunset, and we were all in
such a state of lassitude that we merely rose to swallow a mouthful of
food. As Peterkin remarked, in the midst of a yawn, we took breakfast
at tea-time, and then went to bed again, where we lay till the following
forenoon.

After this we arose very greatly refreshed, but much alarmed lest we had
lost count of a day. I say we were much alarmed on this head; for we
had carefully kept count of the days, since we were cast upon our
island, in order that we might remember the Sabbath-day, which day we
had hitherto, with one accord, kept as a day of rest, and refrained from
all work whatsoever. However, on considering the subject, we all three
entertained the same opinion as to how long we had slept, and so our
minds were put at ease.

We now hastened to our Water Garden to enjoy a bathe, and to see how did
the animals which I had placed in the tank. We found the garden more
charming, pellucid, and inviting than ever; and Jack and I plunged into
its depths and gambolled among its radiant coral groves, while Peterkin
wallowed at the surface, and tried occasionally to kick us as we passed
below. Having dressed, I then hastened to the tank; but what was my
surprise and grief to find nearly all the animals dead, and the water in
a putrid condition! I was greatly distressed at this, and wondered what
could be the cause of it.

"Why, you precious humbug!" said Peterkin, coming up to me, "how could
you expect it to be otherwise? When fishes are accustomed to live in
the Pacific Ocean, how can you expect them to exist in a hole like
that?"

"Indeed, Peterkin," I replied, "there seems to be truth in what you say.
Nevertheless, now I think of it, there must be some error in your
reasoning; for if I put in but a few very small animals, they will bear
the