Sydney hesitated.
“I did not mention the water,” he said at last.
“Then you have found no water?”
“No, sir.”
“And the supply is giving out?”
“Almost gone, sir.”
The lieutenant was silent for a few moments.
“It cannot be long before the Sirius returns. Of course Captain Belton put out to sea. It would have been madness to have stopped in these reef-bound channels. Had you not better call the men together, and thoroughly search all the crannies among the rocks for a spring, Mr Belton?”
“Already done, sir, twice.”
“Yes, of course; you would be sure to do that. Then there is only one thing to do; we must wait patiently for help. Had we been provided with a boat, of course we could have searched for water on the nearest island. But keep a good heart; the Sirius cannot be long.”