high sticks, in the meshes of which the birds flying across the stream from South Moors were often caught; and although most of them got away, yet occasionally enough were taken to form a welcome addition to the day's two meals.
On the 9th of July, when Briant went out first thing in the morning, he found that the wind had suddenly got back to the south.
The cold had become so keen that Briant at once went into the hall, and told Gordon of the change of temperature.
"That is what I feared," said Gordon, "and I shall not be surprised if we have to put up with several months of very severe winter."
"That would show," said Briant, "that the yacht drifted much farther to the south than we supposed."
"Doubtless," said Gordon; "but our atlas has no island like this on the boundary of the Antarctic Ocean!"
"Really I do not know where we shall go if we manage to leave Charman Island."
"Leave our island! "exclaimed Gordon. "Are you always thinking of that?"
"Always!" said Briant "If we could build a boat that would be seaworthy, I should not hesitate to go on a voyage of discovery."
"All right!" said Gordon. "But there is no hurry. Wait a little till we have got our colony into order."
"Eh!" said Briant. "You forget we have left behind us our fathers and mothers."
"Of course— of course — " said Gordon. "But we are not so badly off here I We are getting on, and I am beginning to ask myself what it is we have not got."
"Many things, Gordon," said Briant, not caring to prolong the conversation on this subject. "For instance, we are running short of fuel."
"Oh ! all the forests in the island are not yet burnt."
"No. But we ought to replenish our stock of wood, for it is nearly at an end."
