CHAPTER XIV.
IN THE GRAY OF THE MORNING.
As the first flush of dawn appeared Ned said: "Jack, we mustn't lose our heads. You know what you said after the wreck. You and I have to look after Charley to-day, and we may have need of all our wits and all our strength; so, for his sake, if not for our own, we must force a full breakfast down our throats. It will steady as well as strengthen us. I don't want any thing to eat, and I suppose you don't, but we must eat for all that. We haven't had a mouthful since noon yesterday, and we'll be fit for no exertion if we go on in this way."
"That is true," answered Jack; "we must eat breakfast."
"Very well; then let's be about it, so that we may have it over by the time that it is fairly light, and then we'll lose no time in setting out."
"You can't leave camp," said Jack; "your foot is awfully swollen and your leg too."
"Yes, I know," answered Ned, "but I am going anyhow. We must find Charley, and maybe both of us will be needed when we do."
While this discussion was going on the breakfast preparations were advancing, and it was not long before the two disconsolate fellows began the difficult task of forcing food down their unwilling throats.
"What is our best plan of operations, Jack?" asked Ned.
"I scarcely know. Perhaps we'd best go round the island, one one way and the other the other, shouting and looking. Then, if either finds Charley and needs assistance the other will of course be there soon afterward."