which there was the cove where he had found refuge. One of these points
was distinguished by the mound already mentioned, which from where he
stood appeared of an irregular oblong shape. The other point was low,
and descended gently into the water. The island itself appeared to be
merely the emergence of some sand-bank which, perhaps, had been formed
by currents and eddies; for here the currents of the Strait of Sunda
encounter those from the Southern and Indian oceans, and this bank lay
probably near their point of union.

A short survey showed him this. It showed him also that there was but
little if any hope of sustaining life, and that he had escaped drowning
only perhaps to perish by the more lingering agonies of starvation.

Already hunger and thirst had begun to be felt, and how to satisfy these
wants he knew not. Still he would not despair. Perhaps the _Java_
might return in search of him, and his confinement would only last for a
day or so.

He understood the act of Cigole in a way that was satisfactory to
himself. He had thrown him overboard, but had made it appear like an
accident. As he fell he had heard the shout "Man overboard!" and was now
able to account for it in this way. So a faint hope remained that the
captain of the _Java_ would not give him up.

Still subsistence of some kind was necessary, and there was nothing to
be done but to explore the sandy tract before him. Setting forth he
walked toward the rock along the sea-shore. On one side toward the north
the shore was shallow and sloped gently into the water; but on the
southern side it descended more abruptly. The tide was out. A steep
beach appeared here covered with stones to which myriads of shell-fish