That night we examined and repaired our arms ere we lay down to rest,
although we were much fatigued, in order that we might be in readiness to
set out on our expedition at daylight on the following morning.

CHAPTER IX.

Prepare for a journey round the island--Sagacious reflections--Mysterious
appearances and startling occurrences.

Scarcely had the sun shot its first ray across the bosom of the broad
Pacific, when Jack sprang to his feet, and, hallooing in Peterkin's ear
to awaken him, ran down the beach to take his customary dip in the sea.
We did not, as was our wont, bathe that morning in our Water Garden, but,
in order to save time, refreshed ourselves in the shallow water just
opposite the bower. Our breakfast was also despatched without loss of
time, and in less than an hour afterwards all our preparations for the
journey were completed.

In addition to his ordinary dress, Jack tied a belt of cocoa-nut cloth
round his waist, into which he thrust the axe. I was also advised to put
on a belt and carry a short cudgel or bludgeon in it; for, as Jack truly
remarked, the sling would be of little use if we should chance to come to
close quarters with any wild animal. As for Peterkin, notwithstanding
that he carried such a long, and I must add, frightful-looking spear over
his shoulder, we could not prevail on him to leave his club behind;
"for," said he, "a spear at close quarters is not worth a button." I
must say that it seemed to me that the club was, to use his own style of
language, not worth a button-hole; for it was all knotted over at the
head, something like the club which I remember to have observed in
picture-books of Jack the Giant Killer, besides being so heavy that he
required to grasp it with both hands in order to wield it at all.
However, he took it with him, and, in this manner we set out upon our
travels.

We did not consider it necessary to carry any food with us, as we knew
that wherever we went we should be certain to fall in with cocoa-nut
trees; having which, we were amply supplied, as Peterkin said, with meat
and drink and pocket-handkerchiefs! I took the precaution, however, to
put the burning-glass into my pocket, lest we should want fire.

The morning was exceeding lovely. It was one of that very still and
peaceful sort which made the few noises that we heard seem to be _quiet_
noises. I know no other way of expressing this idea. Noises which so
far from interrupting th