CHAPTER XXIII.
_Unexpected arrivals--The rescue party--Lost and found--Return to the ship._ The sixth night after the hunting-party had left the ship, Grim and Fred Ellice suddenly made their appearance on board.

It was quite dark, and the few of the ship's company who were able to quit their berths were seated round the cabin at their meagre evening meal.
"Hallo, Fred!" exclaimed Captain Ellice, as his son staggered rather than walked in and sank down on a locker.

"What's wrong, boy?
where are the rest of you ?" Fred could not answer; neither he nor Grim was able to utter a word at first.

It was evident that they laboured under extreme exhaustion and hunger.

A mouthful of hot soup administered by Tom Singleton rallied them a little, however.
"Our comrades are lost, I fear." "Lost!" exclaimed Captain Guy.