Author of "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," etc., etc. Illustrated with One Hundred and Seventy Engravings Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1874. CONTENTS. I. The Shark II. The Three Documents III. The Captain's Children IV. Lady Glenarvan's Proposal V. The Departure of the Duncan VI. An Unexpected Passenger VII. Jacques Paganel is Undeceived VIII. The Geographer's Resolution IX. Through the Strait of Magellan X. The Course Decided XI. Traveling in Chili XII. Eleven Thousand Feet Aloft XIII. A Sudden Descent XIV. Providentially Rescued XV. Thalcave XVI. News of the Lost Captain XVII. A Serious Necessity XVIII. In Search of Water XIX. The Red Wolves XX. Strange Signs XXI. A False Trail XXII. The Flood XXIII. A Singular Abode XXIV. Paganel's Disclosure XXV. Between Fire and Water XXVI. The Return on Board XXVII. A New Destination XXVIII. Tristan d'Acunha and the Isle of Amsterdam XXIX. The Storm on the Indian Ocean XXX. A Hospitable Colonist XXXI. The Quartermaster of the Britannia XXXII. Preparations for the Journey XXXIII. An Accident XXXIV. Australian Explorers XXXV. Crime or Calamity? XXXVI. Fresh Faces XXXVII. A Warning XXXVIII. Wealth in the Wilderness XXXIX. Suspicious Occurrences XL. A Startling Discovery XLI. The Plot Unveiled XLII. Four Days of Anguish XLIII. Helpless and Hopeless XLIV. A Rough Captain XLV. The Wreck of the Macquarie XLVI. Vain Efforts XLVII. A Dreaded Country XLVIII. Introduction to the Cannibals XLIX. A Momentous Interview L. The Chief's Funeral LI. Strangely Liberated LII. The Sacred Mountain LIII. A Bold Stratagem LIV. From Peril to Safety LV. Why the Duncan went to New Zealand LVI. Ayrton's Obstinacy LVII. A Discouraging Confession LVIII. A Cry in the Night LIX. Captain Grant's Story LX. Paganel's Last Entanglement [Illustration] IN SEARCH OF THE CASTAWAYS. CHAPTER I. THE SHARK. On the 26th of July, 1864, under a strong gale from the northeast, a magnificent yacht was steaming at full speed through the waves of the North Channel. The flag of England fluttered at her yard-arm, while at the top of the mainmast floated a blue pennon, bearing the initials E. G., worked in gold and surmounted by a ducal coronet. The yacht was called the Duncan, and belonged to Lord Glenarvan, one of the sixteen Scottish peers sitting in the House of Lords, and also a most distinguished member of the "Royal Thames Yacht Club," so celebrated throughout the United Kingdom. Lord Edward Glenarvan was on board with his young wife, Lady Helena, and one of his cousins, Major MacNabb. The Duncan, newly constructed, had just been making a trial voyage several miles beyond the Frith of Clyde, and was now on her return to Glasgow. Already Arran Island was appearing on the horizon, when the look-out signaled an enormous fish that was sporting in the wake of the yacht. The captain, John Mangles, at once informed Lord Glenarvan of the fact, who mounted on deck with Major MacNabb, and asked the captain what he thought of the animal. "Indeed, your lordship," replied Captain Mangles, "I think it is a shark of large proportions." "A shark in these regions!" exclaimed Glenarvan. "Without doubt," replied the captain. "This fish belongs to a species of sharks that are found in all seas and latitudes. It is the 'balance-fish,' and, if I am not greatly mistaken, we shall have an encounter with one of these fellows. If your lordship consents, and it pleases Lady Helena to witness such a novel chase, we will soon see what we have to deal with." "What do you think, MacNabb?" said Lord Glenarvan to the major; "are you of a mind to try...