Page 543 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

and adds them to the main stock. Half of this handful is eat-
en at once, the other half reserved for ‘to-morrow”. The next
day they come to an arm of the sea, and as they struggle
northward, Maria Island disappears, and with it all dan-
ger from telescopes. That evening they reach the camping
ground by twos and threes; and each wonders between the
paroxysms of hunger if his face is as haggard, and his eyes
as bloodshot, as those of his neighbour.
On the seventh day, Bodenham says his feet are so bad
he can’t walk, and Greenhill, with a greedy look at the ber-
ries, bids him stay behind. Being in a very weak condition,
he takes his companion at his word, and drops off about
noon the next day. Gabbett, discovering this defection,
however, goes back, and in an hour or so appears, driving
the wretched creature before him with blows, as a sheep is
driven to the shambles. Greenhill remonstrates at another
mouth being thus forced upon the party, but the giant si-
lences him with a hideous glance. Jemmy Vetch remembers
that Greenhill accompanied Gabbett once before, and feels
uncomfortable. He gives hint of his suspicions to Sanders,
but Sanders only laughs. It is horribly evident that there is
an understanding among the three.
The ninth sun of their freedom, rising upon sandy and
barren hillocks, bristling thick with cruel scrub, sees the six
famine-stricken wretches cursing their God, and yet afraid
to die. All around is the fruitless, shadeless, shelterless bush.
Above, the pitiless heaven. In the distance, the remorseless
sea. Something terrible must happen. That grey wilderness,
arched by grey heaven stooping to grey sea, is a fitting keep-

For the Term of His Natural Life