t you were saying that because of the niggers; and I did
hope you were too English for that."

"Well, Ned, I hope I am."

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

THE LAST ADVENTURE.

From that day the collecting went on merrily, for it seemed as if, to
use Ned's words, "the niggers" had had "a regular sickener," excursion
after excursion being made with careful precautions, which as the weeks
rolled on were more and more relaxed.

Naturally at every landing traces of the terrible havoc made by the
hurricane were seen; but, as Captain Bradleigh said, the sun was hard at
work repairing damages, and there were endless lovely places which had
completely escaped.

The men were never happier than when they were forming guards or porters
for the various expeditions, and the naturalists' cases grew fuller and
fuller of gorgeously-painted or armoured birds. The display of
butterflies and wondrously-shaped flies and beetles was extensive, and
as Jack and his henchman handled gun, butterfly-net, dredge, or
fishing-line, the very existence of inimical natives not many miles away
began to be forgotten, just as Jack's life before he was roused from his
dreaming existence into that of a strong, manly English lad seemed to be
a thing of the past.

Many months had elapsed since they left England, and in spite of the way
in which the provender was supplemented by fish and fresh meat in the
shape of pork, kid, and a small kind of deer discovered in one valley,
as the captain said, stores would not last for ever, and they must soon
either turn homeward, or run to one of the ports where supplies could be
obtained.

Sir John said that another fortnight must end their stay at the island,
and then they would sail for Hong Kong, take in stores, and start for
their journey homeward round the world.

One thing had been kept for the last, and that was an ascent of the
volcano, and three days before the fortnight had elapsed, the yacht was
run round to the foot of the valley where the canoe had lain and from
here a strong party was to start at daybreak, carrying provisions and
canvas for a couple of tents, so that they could sleep somewhere up the
mountain, and descend on the other side, where the yacht was to meet
them.

Full of excitement over this, which he looked upon as the great event of
the voyage, Jack was awake before Ned came to summon him, and headed by
Sir John and the doctor, the captain remaining on board, the expedition,
which inclu