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306 in the vain hope of seeing a distant sail, but I saw none; There was, however, one thing in view—a dark round thing floating on the waves a mile or so from me. I struck out for it, and I was horrified to find that it was alive! Still I approached it, reflecting that death from a sea-monster was preferable to death from starvation, and to my amazement I found that it was making straight in my direction. On approaching it, I was appalled to find that it resembled nothing so much as a human head in a floating plate; and on coming within three or four yards, I discovered that it was the head of Miss Fortescue, supported above water by a contrivance similar in character to that which I myself wore. I should add that her great fat bunchy body and (I had no doubt) her legs were still connected with it.

"Not Miss Fortescue?" said I.

"Rummy old passenger, by Gar!" said she. "What are you doing here, sar?"

"I am not here by choice. I was wrecked in the Aurora Borealis."

"Me, too!" said she.

"You!" said I, "Were you on board the Aurora?" "—Borealis," added she. "Yes, me stewardess. How are you?"

"I am very cold, and this confounded thing has given me a crick in the neck."

"Situation damp," said she. "Try this, you queer one!"

It was a flask of brandy. She held it to my lips until I had taken a comfortable draught.