The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-30
Mr.. MeesOp' S VIII.
BIZ II. RIDED HAGaARD.

After dinner they rcckcncd up their re-
sources. OF water there was nm ampio
supply. for not far from the huts stream
ran down into the ford. For food tiley
had the best part Of bag oil biscuits
weighing about hundred pounds; hiSo
there was the cask Of rum, which the men
Ind moved into their own hut. but that
wos not all. for there were plenty oil smell
6sb about IL they could find means TO COOK
them while the rocks around were coy
cred With hundreds Of pcnguins, inciud'
inc spccimens Of the great 'king pen.
o1iin. which only required 20 he knocked
on the head. There was, therefore, htiic
fear of their rerishing OF starvation, as
sometimes happens TO shiPWrecKeu PeopIc.
Indeed. Immediately after dinner lhe t"o
sailors went out and returned Win ~
many birds eggs costly pengnlh-aS
they could carry in their hats Scarcely
had thcy got IN. however, When the ram,
which Is tic prevailing characteristic OF
tbeso latitudcs. set IN, IN the most phi
loss fashion. and soon the great noun
tains with which they were surrouneed'
and those before them, were wrapped IN
dense wells Of Geecy vapor Hour after
bour the rain fen without ceasng, pere-
tratine through their miserable roof. ana
falIing-drop. drip, droP-upon the sod
den floor. Augusta sat BY herself IN the
smaller hut. doing what She couia 10
amuse little Die; BY telling him stores.
And meanwhile il grew darker, and
colder. and dampcr hour by hour, TIL al
last the lirht went ont and eft her with
nothing to keen her company but the
moaning wind. tho falling rain. and the
wild cries Of the sea birds when some
thing disturbed them from their rest.
The child was asleep Mt last, wrapped up
in blanket and ORG Of the smaller sails
and Augusta, feeling quite worn out with
solitude and the pressure OF heaYy
thoughts, laid her head against TIE BIS.
emit bag, and at last sunk into bissfu
oblivion; for TO the young sleep is con
slant friend. Once or twice she woke,
but only TO drop of Attain; and when she
finally opened her eyes it was quite light
and the rain had ceased.
Her first care was for little Dick, who
had slept scundly throughout the night
and appeared 70 be none the worse. she
took MIN outside the hut and washed his
face and hands in the stream, and then
sat him down 90 breakfast Of biscuit.
As she returned she met the two sailors,
who. although they were now fairly
sober bore upon their faces the marks OF
fearful debauch. Evidently they had
been drinking heavily. She drew herself
UP and looked at them, and they skunk
past her in silence
Then she returned to the hut. Mr..
Meeson was sitting mp when she entered.
and he bright light from the opea door
fell full upon his f;.,c His appearance
fairly shocked her. The heavy cheeks
had fallen in, there were great purple
rings round the hollow eyes. and his,
whole aspect was one Of man in the lbs.
stage Of illness.
Il have had such night" he said
"Oh, Heavcnl such nisht- don't be
lieye that shall live through another
Nonsense said Augusta; 90 cat somn
biscuit and YOU will rel better
He took piece Of the biscuit which shs
gave him aud attempted to swallow II
but could not.
1T is no use, he said; Il am 4 dying
man Sitting in these wet clothes in tho
boat has finished ne.
And Augusta, looking at his face, could
not but believe him.