CHAPTER FOUR.
THE CRY OF THE DUGONG.
Until the day on which the ninth sailor had died of starvation, and the tenth had been struck dead by the sea-bird, the castaways had taken an occasional spell at the oars.

They now no longer touched, nor thought of them.

Weakness prevented them, as well as despondency.

For there was no object in continuing the toil; no land in sight, and no knowledge of any being near.

Should a ship chance to come their way, they were as likely to be in her track lying at rest, as if engaged in laboriously rowing.