At Langton's suggestion they attempted to get up to the wreck, but as they had only pieces of plank to row with, and the raft was heavy, they made no progress against the current. They saw, however, that their shipmates were endeavouring to imitate their example, and were engaged in making another raft; but several, it was too evident from the way they clung to the wreck, were severely injured and unable to exert themselves. As far as Owen and his companions could make out, the people they saw had on only their shirts and trousers. It was impossible to ascertain, therefore, whether any were officers. Langton feared not. The land appeared on either side of them, and another island stretched away to the southward, closing the channel, so that they might hope, in the course of a few hours at most, should a breeze spring up from the east or west, to reach the shore. Still hour after hour went by, the raft driving further and farther to the southward, and away from the wreck, until the people moving about on it could no longer be distinguished. In the meantime they had been unsuccessful in obtaining any further provisions. Owen regretted that they had not secured another piece of canvas with which to form some sort of shelter above poor Ashurst. All they could do was to hoist up the sail, so as to throw a shadow over his head. Langton, who had had a long swim, felt much fatigued, and charging Owen to call him should any change take place, he lay down to obtain the rest he so much needed. Owen, meanwhile, was seated by Ashurst's side. The latter was continually speaking, though Owen thought that he occasionally rambled. "Hartley," he said at last, "do you think that I'm dying?" "You are evidently very ill; but I hope, if we can get you on shore, that you may yet pull through it." "Do you wish me to recover?" asked Ashurst. "Of course I do," answered Owen; "and I have been praying to God that you may." "You do not know what you have been praying for then," murmured Ashurst. "I have ill-treated you, and have shown in every way I could the hatred I felt." "Pray do not talk of that," said Owen. "I never hated you." "You had infinitely more cause to do so than I had to hate you," answered Ashurst. He was silent for a minute or more; then he exclaimed suddenly--