ON SHORT ALLOWANCE. V7:

and neither crew nor officers would suffer any serious
inconvenience, since that island could be made, under
ordinary circumstances, before the supply was entirely
exhausted.

Ben knew what it was to be on a short allowance of
this precious liquid, and he also knew that, as a rule,
sailors were not given to murmuring when such a condi-
tion of affairs was made known, more especially if it could
be attributed to an accident, as in this case; but he felt
very certain the bursting of the two casks would not in
itself have so seriously reduced the supply.

There had been mischief done by some member of the
crew, and this was sufficient to cause the young captain
the gravest apprehensions.

The days passed without any open show of mutiny or
discontent.

The men performed their duties promptly, but not
cheerfully, as had been their custom, and all the officers
noted the hurried chats which were indulged in during
any idle moments on deck.

At least three times each day old Eliphalet had an
opportunity, while making ready the meals in the cabin, to
speak with Miss Dunham; but he had nothing of impor-
tance to communicate. ‘

He kept his eyes and ears open without hearing or see-
ing anything in particular, save that, in his mind, the
Manilamen appeared more bold, and seemed to have
gotten the greater portion of the crew under their control.

All this might have been his fancy, however, and so