By Blue Lagoons .sx JANE DREW suddenly opened her eyes and sat up .sx " Oh , we're still here !sx " she complained .sx " I dreamed we were in Sydney .sx Why did I wake up ?sx " She turned to Nan Ford , her companion , a tall , slender girl who , even in a crowd , would have drawn a second look .sx Nan's eyes were a deep blue , tinged with purple and heavily fringed with dark lashes which contrasted strongly with her beautiful fair hair .sx Her features were regular , her mouth firm , with the vivid lips of perfect health .sx She smiled suddenly at Jane Drew .sx " You've been asleep for over an hour , " she said .sx " So you dreamed we were back in Sydney ?sx And then you woke up to this !sx " Slowly she turned her head and surveyed the scene around them .sx The sun blazed down from a bright blue sky , and the slow , white rollers of the tropic seas climbed lazily up the broad coral beach .sx A few palm trees were scattered along the semi-circular strand .sx Separated from the dense jungle behind them , they looked like sentinels guarding the island .sx It was in the shade of one of these that Nan and Jane sat .sx To Nan the happenings of the past seven days and nights were as a jumbled nightmare .sx Just a week ago and how long ago that seemed now they had been cruising along in her father's yacht , with not a thought of danger .sx Then with appalling suddenness the cyclone had sprung up and swept them up in its path like a piece of matchwood .sx Nan's next clear recollection was of regaining consciousness on the shores of this island .sx Jane's voice brought her back from thoughts of the recent terrible happenings .sx " I wonder what they're doing in Sydney now ?sx " said Jane .sx " Carrying on with life as usual , " replied Nan with a laugh .sx " Our disappearance won't stop the world !sx " But even as she spoke her eyes had a far-away look .sx The silver sand , the palm trees , and the blue sea faded before her and she was back in the hurry and bustle of Sydney , with its jolly , carefree crowds , its shops with their many feminine attractions , their silks and laces , perfumes and powders .sx The thought of these things brought her back to the present with a start .sx How she wished she could do some shopping now and repair the damage done to her appearance and her wardrobe during the terrible hours that had followed the wreck .sx Her clothes were badly torn , she had neither shoes nor stockings , and she had found it impossible to reduce her wavy hair to order with only her fingers as a comb .sx She was calm about things , however , and Jane's dark outlook forced her to assume a lightheartedness , if only to keep her own spirits up .sx Back in Sydney , Jane , who was forty and on the stout side , had acted as housekeeper to Nan's father , and since the death of her mother fourteen years ago , when Nan was but seven years old , Nan had always turned to Jane for advice and companionship .sx In the well-ordered life of the wealthy Ford household , with all the benefits of civilisation , Jane was more than efficient , but here on this desert island she was utterly helpless .sx A sudden shout caused both Nan and Jane to start , and they saw the remaining five survivors of the wreck .sx They were all men , and they had been exploring the island to try and discover the possibilities of getting some food .sx Two of them were obviously sailors sullenlooking men whose jaws moved regularly as they chewed wads of tobacco and gazed out fixedly at the broad expanse of sea .sx The remaining three men were vastly different .sx The eldest , a stout man of about fifty years of age , attired in a suit of white ducks , now much creased and covered with sand and seaweed , was Benjamin Ford , a wealthy business man from Sydney .sx His near neighbour Simpson a solemn-looking , spectacled man of about the same age , looked exactly what he was a clergyman .sx The remaining man , Frank Derwent , was young and exceedingly good-looking , and was Nan's fiance .sx His dark hair was parted exactly in the centre , and he still contrived to retain an appearance of smartness that was lacking in the others .sx His attitude was one of extreme boredom .sx He occasionally glanced at the two sailors with an air of contempt , and they in return glared at him .sx " Well ?sx " Nan looked at them eagerly , " What luck did you have ?sx " " None , " replied her father , sitting down beside her in a dejected manner .sx Simpson also sat down , and from the pocket of his tattered trousers took a small Bible .sx " Doubtless we shall find some comfort here , " he said , pointing to the Book .sx " It isn't only comfort we need , " said Nan .sx " It's food and water .sx " " Spiritual food is just as necessary , " retorted Simpson .sx Grogan , the bigger of the two seamen , laughed loudly , and Nan's father glared at him .sx " Stop that noise !sx " he commanded .sx Grogan's face relaxed and a vicious look entered his narrow eyes .sx " You can stow that kind of talk , " he muttered .sx " Things have changed since the yacht foundered .sx Willings and me ain't being bossed any longer .sx We're all equal on this island , and maybe we'll all die the same death .sx How much water is there in that barrel ?sx " Nan , who was near the water barrel , put her arm round it as though she feared a raid on the precious preserve .sx Grogan laughed again .sx " All right , you can keep it , miss .sx What difference does a day or two make ?sx We're right out of the track of ships , and not likely to sight one in twelve months .sx " Jane shivered slightly .sx " I'm terribly thirsty , " she said .sx " Do you think , dear " .sx Nan shook her head determinedly .sx " No .sx There's only one drink apiece a very small one and that's for to-morrow .sx " Frank Derwent turned his head and gazed longingly at the shining barrel , which , with some other things , had come ashore with them on the raft .sx " The man is right , " he said .sx " What good can be done by suffering all this agony ?sx Let us have the water now .sx " Mr Ford , whose tongue was parched , agreed .sx " I can't bear it any longer , " he groaned .sx " Father , " said Nan , " we've got to go on hoping .sx " " Hoping !sx For seven long days we've hoped and hoped and nothing has happened .sx Give me the barrel , Nan ; I'm going to divide out the water .sx " Nan's eyes flashed wildly .sx Grogan laughed , and Willings , the other sailor , glared at her .sx They seemed to be taking a fiendish delight in the situation .sx It puzzled her that in the circumstances they could laugh .sx Perhaps it .sx was because they had not suffered as the rest of the party had done .sx She wondered how it was that their faces did not exhibit any sign of privation .sx " You shan't have the water , " she said tensely .sx " We agreed on a pint a day , and we've had it .sx There are less than three-quarters left now .sx " Frank Derwent's lip trembled .sx It seemed that he was on the point of forcibly taking the barrel from her when Simpson , the parson , spoke up .sx " Nan is right .sx A bargain's a bargain .sx We must abide by ours .sx And who knows what to-morrow will bring ?sx " " To-morrow !sx " sneered Derwent .sx " This is no time for smooth words .sx But if we can't drink we can eat .sx " He stood up and took a tin box from the raft , which lay behind him .sx He opened it and took out some ship's biscuits .sx He divided them among the company a bare handful to each .sx Nan looked inside the box and uttered a cry of alarm .sx " They're nearly all gone !sx " she exclaimed .sx " They are all that lie between us and starvation .sx Don't eat them now " .sx But the mere sight of food was sufficient to sweep away all consideration concerning the future .sx Even Simpson fell .sx Nan was the only one who set her heart against her hunger .sx She could understand Jane , and , to a certain extent , her father and Simpson , but that Frank Derwent should not be able to exercise control disappointed her greatly .sx Wondering deeply that he should have proved so weak , Nan left the little group under the palm and made for the edge of the jungle .sx She strove to push her way through at a dozen points , but failed .sx Then she remembered the oar on the raft , and ran back to the place the party had come to regard as their camp .sx The two sailors had left , and she could see them farther down the beach hunting for eatable shellfish .sx Jane had fallen asleep again , but the rest were very much awake .sx The water barrel lay on its side , and in a giant shell , which served as a dish , was about a pint of water .sx Frank Derwent looked a trifle embarrassed , and Simpson , the parson , coughed .sx " You you've drunk the water !sx " Nan gasped .sx Her father nodded .sx " I don't see that it makes any difference , Nan , " he argued .sx " We shared it out very carefully .sx Yours and Jane's is in the shell .sx " She bit her lip to prevent herself from uttering some bitter remark .sx After all , it was theirs to use as they wished .sx But her disappointment was none the less acute .sx " Then everything has gone , " she said .sx " To-morrow we will have nothing .sx " She shuddered as she thought of to-morrow with all its sufferings .sx And thirst did not stop at one day's torture .sx It would go on and on , day after day , until the end .sx She took the oar and began to walk across the beach .sx A few seconds later Frank Derwent caught up with her .sx " Where are you going , Nan ?sx " " To explore , " she replied briefly .sx " All right .sx " He took the oar from her , and they made for a spot to the north of the camp , where the jungle appeared to be less dense .sx They hesitated on the edge of it and peered through the interwoven mass of foliage which stretched before them .sx " It looks awful , " said Derwent .sx " I can't see what purpose it will serve to tear ourselves to pieces in a vain search .sx " " You can't see anything these days , Frank , " Nan replied .sx " What do you mean ?sx " " Just that shall we start here ?sx " He gulped and nodded .sx They plunged through the thick undergrowth , but were soon brought to a halt .sx Derwent slashed at the dense undergrowth with the oar and succeeded in making a passage through it .sx Beyond was a wild scene .sx Big plants with leaves a yard long confronted them .sx Huge tree boles ranunder their feet , and thorns pierced their legs and arms as they strove to make progress .sx The heat was terrific stifling .sx Great beads of perspiration came to their foreheads , and breathing became an effort .sx Frank Derwent suddenly stopped .sx " It's no use , Nan , " he panted .sx " I'm almost torn to pieces .sx '' " So am I , " she retorted .sx " But we've got to persevere .sx Try that way .sx " He shuddered and made a few futile efforts with the oar .sx Then he sat down on a fallen branch .sx " It's no use ; let's go back , " he panted .sx " I'm sick and faint .sx We're in the hands of fate .sx What more can we do ?sx " Nan said nothing , but slowly they retraced their steps towards the little group .sx When they finally arrived , Nan found that by mistake Jane had drunk all the water .sx But she did not rebuke the poor , distracted woman .sx What was the use ?sx The day passed , and the tropical night came down with almost startling suddenness .sx The party lay under the moon , each reflecting in his own fashion .sx Simpson prayed for rain , Mr Ford for youth and strength , Frank Derwent for Sydney harbour , and Nan Nan fiercely rebuked the fates for denying them the presence , strength , and resourcefulness of a real man .sx A MOMENTOUS DECISION .sx THE Pacific liner , Antipodes , was eight days out from Sydney and making good time .sx She was a fine vessel of 12,000 tons , and was packed with passengers .sx It was evening and dinner was over .sx The promenade deck , but recently desolate , began slowly to fill up .sx Bright dresses glimmered in the red rays of the setting sun and fans moved incessantly , for the wind had dropped , and the slight breeze created by the liner's speed of twenty knots was insufficient to cool the heated atmosphere .sx