Forbes and Chutney awoke about the same time. As was Guy's usual habit after sleeping, he lit a torch to see how the current was running. The light woke Canaris and the colonel almost immediately, while Sir Arthur turned on his rug and asked feebly for something to eat.
The very mention of food brought a hungry glare to their eyes, and Guy turned round to reach the bag. It was not in its accustomed place, and he staggered to his feet in astonishment.
"It's gone," he cried savagely. "The bag is gone. Who has taken it?"
They glared at each other with fierce mistrust.
"Ah, look! look!" shrieked Canaris suddenly. "The black wretch!" and springing across the raft he flung himself on Bildad and grasped him with both hands savagely by the throat.
Melton and Guy tore him away by main force and there beside the African lay the bag—empty.
Bildad's lips were full of crumbs, and half a cracker was still clutched in one grimy hand.
"Kill him. Throw him in the river!" shrieked the Greek, who was fairly beside himself with rage and hunger.
"He is out of his mind," said Guy gravely. "He took them in his delirium. Not one is left;" as he shook the bag in the air.
Sir Arthur made another piteous appeal for food, and Guy took the half cracker from Bildad's hand and gave it to him.