e watched these, and, observing where they alighted, followed them up
until we came upon a most lovely blue lake, not more than two hundred
yards long, imbosomed in verdant trees. Its placid surface, which
reflected every leaf and stem, as if in a mirror, was covered with
various species of wild ducks, feeding among the sedges and broad-leaved
water-plants which floated on it, while numerous birds like water-hens
ran to and fro most busily on its margin. These all with one accord flew
tumultuously away the instant we made our appearance. While walking
along the margin we observed fish in the water, but of what sort we could
not tell.

Now, as we neared the shore, Jack and I said we would go a little out of
our way to see if we could procure one of those ducks; so, directing
Peterkin to go straight to the shore and kindle a fire, we separated,
promising to rejoin him speedily. But we did not find the ducks,
although we made a diligent search for half an hour. We were about to
retrace our steps, when we were arrested by one of the strangest sights
that we had yet beheld.

Just in front of us, at the distance of about ten yards, grew a superb
tree, which certainly was the largest we had yet seen on the island. Its
trunk was at least five feet in diameter, with a smooth gray bark; above
this the spreading branches were clothed with light green leaves, amid
which were clusters of bright yellow fruit, so numerous as to weigh down
the boughs with their great weight. This fruit seemed to be of the plum
species, of an oblong form, and a good deal larger than the magnum bonum
plum. The ground at the foot of this tree was thickly strewn with the
fallen fruit, in the midst of which lay sleeping, in every possible
attitude, at least twenty hogs of all ages and sizes, apparently quite
surfeited with a recent banquet.

Jack and I could scarce restrain our laughter as we gazed at these
coarse, fat, ill-looking animals, while they lay groaning and snoring
heavily amid the remains of their supper.

"Now, Ralph," said Jack, in a low whisper, "put a stone in your sling,--a
good big one,--and let fly at that fat fellow with his back toward you.
I'll try to put an arrow into yon little pig."

"Don't you think we had better put them up first?" I whispered; "it seems
cruel to kill them while asleep."

"If I wanted _sport_, Ralph, I would certainly set them up; but as we
only want _pork_, we'll let them lie. Besides, we're not su