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 "Goodness knows," replied Tempest; "but do let me persuade you not to worry. That won't get us off a minute sooner. The worst of it is that we are just about as far off the track of vessels as we could well be, and the wireless station on this benighted place does n't seem to be in working order."

"Then you really think we are likely to be here for a long time?"

Tempest glanced at the boy and saw no fear in his grey eyes, but very natural concern.

"Some of us, yes," he said. "I heard the mate saying something about taking a chance in the long-boat, and I guess that is what will happen. But, as you know, the long-boat won't hold us all. It's too early to think about that yet, though. You 'll find we shall have a pretty busy time at present getting all that's wanted off the poor old Manihiki." There was, indeed, a strenuous time ahead. Although the weather was so perfect, Captain