"What are we going to do for breakfast?" was Billy's manner of voicing the general question that beset them all after they had washed off some of the mud of the night before.
"Tighten our belts," grinned Harry.
"Not much; not while them oysters is there waiting to be picked," exclaimed Ben pointing to some branches which dipped in the sea and to which bunches of the bivalves were clinging.
"I've got some biscuits in my pocket," said Frank, "I brought them on deck with me last night in case I got hungry on watch."
"Well, we'll do fine," cheerfully said Ben, as having heated some stones he set the oysters to broil on them.
Despite his cheerful tone, however, not one of the little party was there that did not think with longing regrets of the snowy linen and bountiful meals aboard the Southern Cross.
Breakfast over, Ben announced that the first thing to do was to try to find out where they could be. It was agreed for this purpose to advance along the beach for five miles or so in opposite directions, the group being formed into two parties for the purpose. Harry and Frank paired off in one party and Ben Stubbs and Billy formed the other. They were to meet at noon or as soon thereafter as possible and compare notes.
Frank and Harry tramped resolutely along the beach under a baking hot sun till they felt as if they were going to drop, but they held pluckily on, fortunately having found several springs along their line of march.
From time to time they eagerly scanned the expanse of sparkling sea that stretched before them; but it was as empty of life as a desert.
"Do you suppose the ship will make a search for us?" asked Frank.