"No, no, that could not have been," answered Owen. "You were preserved because God loves you, and still to the last moment offers you salvation. Turn to Him through Christ. He has said that although your sins might be as scarlet, they may become as white as snow. God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. Believe in His glorious promises." "I find it a hard matter to do so," groaned Ashurst, "but I will try." Owen offered to pray with him, and knelt down by his side. Ashurst's lips continued to move, but his voice grew weaker and weaker. At length Langton awoke. No sooner did he cast his eyes on Ashurst than he gave a look at Owen and whispered, "He is going." He took his messmate's hand, who returned the pressure he gave, but gradually the fingers relaxed. Langton and Owen bent over him; ere another minute had passed he was dead. "Poor fellow!" said Langton. "Although he was no favourite of mine, I am truly sorry." "So am I," said Owen; "and I heartily forgive him for the way in which he used to treat me. He has been making a strange confession to me, and has been telling me that, I am the rightful heir to the title and property his brother at present possesses. I do not think he was wandering, as he seemed so very certain about the matter; but I should have been glad if you had been awake to hear him." "He may or may not have spoken the truth," said Langton; "but before you can benefit by the information you have received, we must get home. It seems more than doubtful whether we shall ever reach the shore." Langton and Owen were unwilling to throw their messmate overboard, for they had nothing to sink the body. "We must try and carry it to the shore and give it burial," said Langton. Owen was perfectly ready to do this, though when they should reach the shore was a question. Hour after hour the calm continued. Often they could scarcely bear the heat. Langton, who took the command, served out a small piece of melon at a time, which somewhat alleviated their thirst, while the biscuits-- though wetted by the water, which had got into the cask--satisfied their hunger. At length, towards evening, a breeze from the northward sprang up. The sail was hoisted, and by means of a paddle on either side they managed to steer the raft. "We are making nearly two knots an hour," said Owen, as the breeze freshened. "During the night we shall, I hope, reach the island to the southward." "That depends on what currents me encounter, or whether the wind continues," answered Langton; "I would rather get up to the shore at daylight when we may choose a place for landing."