CHAPTER XXX
THE RETAKING OF THE "STORMY PETREL"
For the whole of that day the natives kept at the sweeps of the long canoe, one set of rowers reliev ing the other. The whites were willing to assist, but Soko said the natives could get along best alone, they having their own peculiar manner of handling the craft.
The weather remained fair, with only a bit of a breeze blowing, and the bosom of the ocean was as calm as they could wish. They were soon out of sight of the island, and then all they could behold was the sky above and the sparkling waters on every side.
"It must be terrible to be lost on the ocean," remarked Phil, as he gazed around. "I don't wonder that men go mad, after they have been out days and days."
"And think of having nothing to eat or to drink," said Dave. "Ugh! it gives a fellow the shivers to think of it!"
At noon the whole party partook of a lunch, and toward nightfall had supper. Then the whites went to sleep, and so did half of the natives, the
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