CHAPTER XXXI.
DECEMBER 7th CONTINUED .-- Our first day on the raft has passed without any special incident.

At eight o'clock this morning Curtis asked our attention for a moment.
"My friends," he said, "listen to me.

Here on this raft, just as when we were on board the 'Chancellor,' I consider myself your captain; and as your captain, I expect that all of you will strictly obey my orders.

Let me beg of you, one and all, to think solely of our common welfare; let us work with one heart and with one soul, and may Heaven protect us!" After delivering these few words with an emotion that evidenced their earnestness, the captain consulted his compass, and found that the freshening breeze was blowing from the north.

This was fortunate for us, and no time was to be lost in taking advantage of it to speed us on our dubious way.