ly
good place for our purpose, and we can all join hands at ship-building
when we have exhausted the natural history of the island."

"Very good, gentlemen, but in the meanwhile I shall strengthen our fort
a little, so as to be ready for the niggers when they come again. I'll
get the carpenter at work to rig up planks above the bulwarks with a
good slope outwards, so that they'll find it harder to climb up next
time they come."

"Do you think they will come?" asked Panton, evincing more interest in
the conversation.

"Oh, yes, sir," said the mate thoughtfully, "such a ship as this would
be a prize for them, and we shall have them again some day, as sure as a
gun."

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

BILLY WRIGGS SMELLS MUSSELS.

That day and during the many which followed the shipwrecked party had
plenty of proof of the truth of their theory about the animals and birds
migrating from one side of the island to the other in consequence of
fright caused by the eruption, for birds came back singly and in little
flocks, many of them passing right over the brig on their way to the
forest-covered lower slopes of the burning mountain.

It was the same too with insects, while from time to time a roe-buck or
two would trot across the wide opening, perhaps, to stand and gaze up at
the peculiar-looking object in the middle of the wave-swept plain, but
always ready to dart off on any attempt being made to approach them with
a gun, for already they were learning the meaning of the report.

Oliver and Panton tried hard to be patient and bear their lot, but they
often fell to and had a good grumble and murmur. But soon, as the days
went on and they could walk about the deck with less exertion and
suffering, they brought up their guns and sat waiting by the bulwarks
for the brightly painted birds as they flew over, Panton helping largely
to increase his friend's store of preserved specimens, securing for him
several remarkably good lories and brilliant metallic cuckoos. The pot,
as Panton called it, was not forgotten either, several large
bustard-like birds being shot as they raced across the plain, besides
wild duck and geese, which at times passed over in plenty.

At last the happy day arrived when the mate suggested that the patients
should make an effort to get a little way from the ship, and with eyes
brightened the two young men were helped down the steps in spite of
their irritable declarations that they could do better alon