Part 38 (2/2)

”Hasn't been our turn, Jee Just as if they thought we should slip away”

”And I suppose we've given up all such thoughts as that now”

”Oh, have we?” said Jem sarcastically; and then there was silence for a ti the steam rise from the little island about a quarter of acooked over yonder, Mas' Don I know; no, I don't Thought it ashi+ng day, but it can't be, for they don't hardly wear any clothes”

”It's volcanic stea with you, Mas' Don Don't get spinning yarns”

”I' you the truth, Jem”

”Are you, sir? Well, p'r'aps it's what you think is the truth, I say, arn't it lovely out here? How I should like to have a cottage just on that there point, and my Sally to keep it tidy Hullo! What's up?”

The boatswain's shrill pipe was heard just then, and a boat's creas sureat delight, he and Jem formed part of the boat's crew; and at last he felt that he was to see sorew more attractive every ti to land; and, as the men were provided with axes, it seemed that they were about to make their way into the woods

The natives had beenpresents; but, all the same, no precautions were omitted to provide for the safety of the shi+p and crew

It was a glorious es were lolling about on the shore Their canoes were run up on the sands, and there was an aspect of calhtful

But the boat's crew had little ti The captain and a e took their places in the stern sheets, Bosun Jones seized the tiller, the as given, the oars splashed the water simultaneously, and the boat sped over the cal the shoals of fish darting away

The boat's head was set in quite a fresh direction, and she was run ashore a little way fro down through blocks of pumice and black masses of volcanic stone

As the boat's head touched the shore, the ed her a short distance up the black glistening heavy sand, so that the captain could land dry-shod

Then preparations were ave Don a friendly nod before turning to the captain

”Will you have this lad, sir, to carry a spare gun for you?”

”Yes,” said the captain; ”a good plan;” and Don's eyes sparkled ”No,”

said the captain the nextwill be too hard for him Let him and another stay with the boat”

Don's brow clouded over with disappointment, but it cleared a little directly after as he found that Jem was to be his companion; and as the party marched off tohere the forest came down nearly to the sea, they, in obedience to their orders, thrust the boat off again, clirapnel a few fathoms from the shore

”I am disappointed,” said Don, after they had sat in the boat so their companions till they had disappeared

”Oh, I dunno, Mas' Don; we've got so to do They, poor felloill come back hot and tired out”