some reason or other we have taken
possession of the island."

"Ay, sir; but I have a notion we should be able to beat them off without
these embankments, satisfactory as it may be to have them as shelter,"
answered the first lieutenant.

It took, however, several days to complete the fort, and when that was
done, one of the chief objects of the commander was to find occupation
for the men. He knew that it would never do to let them be too long
idle. Among the stores saved were several seines; one or two of these
were drawn every day on the sandy portions of the beach, and never
failed to catch a number of fish, which added to the store of
provisions. Drawing the seine afforded not only occupation but
amusement to the men, who engaged in it with the greatest avidity. The
fresh fish, too, assisted to keep scurvy at a distance. The surgeon
explored the island in search of any vegetable productions which might
assist in that object. Happily there were a good number of cocoa-nuts,
but it was necessary to husband them, or the men would have consumed
them in the course of a day or two.

Though it was necessary to prepare for a long stay, the commander took
the requisite measures for attracting the notice of any passing vessels.
A high flagstaff was put up in the centre of the fort, from which the
British ensign was kept flying from sunrise to sunset, and on the two
highest points of the island piles of firewood were placed ready to
light up at night, should it be considered expedient to try and attract
the attention of any ships seen in the offing. There might, however, be
a danger in doing this, lest a stranger, standing too close in, might
run on the rocks. By firing guns, however, she might be warned off. Of
course, by these means it was as likely that an enemy would be attracted
to the spot as a friend, but this caused them no anxiety, as they could
beat off any vessel which might come with hostile intentions.

Day after day, however, went by, and no sail appeared in sight. As soon
as the weather moderated the boats were launched, and the second
lieutenant and master, with Crowhurst, pulled round the island and
surveyed its approaches in every direction. They found but two channels
through which a vessel of any size could approach to attack them, and
that could only be done with the greatest caution, by those who had a
thorough knowledge of the navigation. Indeed, the island was almost
completely surrounde