nd
never know what may happen, living as we are, over fire."

"And hot water," said the mate, smiling. "One of the men has just found
a little spring, where the water spurts up at boiling point."

"Well," said Panton, "it will be convenient. There, Mr Rimmer, get
your lugger launched, and we'll explore the coast, but don't say
anything about our going away for months to come, for we must make some
more efforts to get right up to the crater edge before we give up.
Besides, we have not half examined the land yet."

"No," said the mate, "we have not half examined the land yet. Very
well, gentlemen, you came on purpose for this sort of thing, so it's not
for me to say any more. I'm anchored pretty safely, that is, if the
earth don't give way, and let the brig through. I'll, as I've said
before, get my lugger finished and launched. She'll lie snugly enough
in the deepest part of the lagoon if the blacks will keep away, and I
shall gradually load and provision her, ready for when we have to go
will that do?"

"Yes, splendidly," said Oliver. "There, don't say any wore about it,
please, for I want to skin my bird."

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

PANTON SHOWS THE WAY TO WONDERLAND.

"You were so precious proud of your ornitho superbo, or whatever you
call it, that you seemed to fancy yourself head cock discoverer and
chief boss of the expedition," cried Panton one morning, as he returned
in a great hurry, after being out for some hours with Smith and Wriggs.

Oliver, who, helped by Drew, was busily packing layers of dried bird
skins in a case, looked up laughingly.

"What is it?" he cried. "What have you found--diamonds?"

"Oh, no, nothing of that kind. Come on and see."

"In five minutes I shall be done. Then we'll come. But what is it?"

"Wait till you get there," responded Panton, wincing slightly, for he
had just felt a sting in his newly-healed wound.

"All right," said Oliver. "Now, Drew, another layer of paper, then this
lot of skins, and we'll fasten the lid down."

"Why not leave it unfastened till your other lot are dry?"

"Because if I do, the ants will make short work of them. In with the
rest, lightly. Now the lid."

This was clapped on, a good solid deal lid made by the ship's carpenter,
with holes bored and screws in them, all ready, and as soon as it was
on, Oliver, with his sleeves rolled up and the muscles working beneath
his clear white skin, attacked the screws, and soon had them