"These animals may prove useful to us for food." "I hope so." After several moments, she asked: "How long must we stay ?" "I know not.

Had I not better take the boat and go to the wreck for more food ?" "No, not to-night," she answered with a shudder.

"I prefer to go without food than to be left an hour alone in the approaching night." He had a sea-biscuit in his pocket, which he gave her and made his own supper of dried fish.

With flint, steel and some powder, he kindled a fire near the tent and sat down before it with a gun across his knees and another at his side, his back against a tree.

Thus he prepared to pass the night, urging his companion to go to sleep in the tent.
Patient, confiding Blanche went and laid down to sleep.