Not even a pebble recently displaced; not a trace on the sand; not a human footstep on all that part of the beach.
It was clear that that portion of the shore had never been visited by a human being.

The sea was as deserted as the land, and it was there, a few hundred feet from the coast, that the engineer must have found a tomb.
As Spilett ended his account, Neb jumped up, exclaiming in a voice which showed how hope struggled within him, "No! he is not dead! he can't be dead! It might happen to any one else, but never to him! He could get out of anything!" Then his strength forsaking him, "Oh! I can do no more!" he murmured.
"Neb," said Herbert, running to him, "we will find him! God will give him back to us! But in the meantime you are hungry, and you must eat something." So saying, he offered the poor Negro a few handfuls of shell-fish, which was indeed wretched and insufficient food.

Neb had not eaten anything for several hours, but he refused them.

He could not, would not live without his master.
As to Gideon Spilett, he devoured the shell-fish, then he laid himself down on the sand, at the foot of a rock.

He was very weak, but calm.
Herbert went up to him, and taking his hand, "Sir," said he, "we have found a shelter which will be better than lying here.