_Bruce and Bart on board the deserted Ship.--New Discoveries.--The Cook’s Galley.--A sumptuous Repast.--Observations.--A Return baffled.--Back again.--The Antelope.--The Ripple in the Water.--Speculations.--The Sail to the Ship.--Puzzle about the lost Ones.--Nearer and nearer.--Unexpected and astounding Welcome!_ THE state of mind and body in which Bruce and Bart found themselves was of such a kind that the discovery of a well-stocked pantry and store-room gave them more delight than they had known for a very long time. They themselves were ravenously hungry; for the appetite which had been quickened by their long fast had been sharpened by exercise, and they also could not forget that their friends on board the Antelope were depending upon this expedition as much as themselves. Under such circumstances they looked around upon the well stocked shelves, and as, one after another, they recognized well-known and favorite articles of food, tears of joy started to their eyes. Tea, and coffee, and sugar, and butter, and potted meats, and hams, and pickles, and many other delicacies of a similar kind, showed that their predecessors had not been indifferent to the pleasures of the table. In taking leave they seemed to have been very modest in their requirements, since they had taken away but little. As they continued their researches, they found other articles which increased their delight. There were a barrel of apples, boxes of raisins, drums of figs, bags of nuts, bottles of raspberry vinegar and of lemon sirup, a demijohn full of lime juice, and a delicious Cheshire cheese. Leaving the pantry and going into another store-room, they saw numerous barrels, some of which contained beef, and others pork. Opening another door, they looked in, and saw a chamber lined with tin and filled with pilot bread. “I say, Bruce,” said Bart, “let’s postpone any further searches now, and get breakfast.” “All right. What shall we have?” “Well, I feel strongly inclined for some tea, broiled bacon, toasted biscuit, and Welsh rarebit.” “Why don’t you add a few other things?” said Bruce, with a laugh. “How can we cook anything?” “Why, in the cook’s galley.” “But there isn’t any fuel.” “Why, there’s a lot of coal in that front storeroom, and fagots of wood. Didn’t you see them?” “I didn’t notice.” “Well, I did, and I’m going to make a fire.” “Have you any matches?” “Yes.” “Well, you make the fire, and I’ll set the table.” “O, no; don’t set the table here. Let’s eat on the quarter-deck. It’s rather close in here.” “Very well; I’ll gather the dishes and eatables.” Bart now went about his task. Going into the store-room, he found the fuel, and carrying a supply to the cook’s galley, he succeeded in a few minutes in producing a roaring fire. Then he filled the kettle, and before long the water began to boil.