ar as possible, in order to leave the
surface of the sand quite undisturbed--so that he might be able to
carefully and systematically scrutinise it in search of footprints. For
he argued that if savages really existed on this island, they could
scarcely have failed to discover the existence of the wreck during the
week that she had lain upon the reef; in which case they would most
probably have gathered at the water's edge, at the nearest possible
point, for the purpose of examining her. And since this particular
strip of beach happened to be nearer the wreck than any other point of
the island, he felt tolerably certain that footprints would be found
upon it, if anywhere. A strong point in favour of the assumption that
the island was uninhabited was the fact that the wreck had not been
approached by canoes; for Leslie felt that if she had been seen by
natives, they would scarcely have left her unvisited for an entire week.

The careful and systematic inspection of the entire length of beach
consumed an hour, and was without result; no human footprints were
anywhere to be seen; and Leslie was confident that if any person had
walked upon that sand within the week, he would have left plain
indications behind him, for the wind throughout that time had been too
gentle to obliterate marks of any kind, as was evidenced by the fact
that the footprints of birds were everywhere clearly distinguishable.
Once, indeed, he thought he had found what he sought; but upon closer
inspection the signs proved to be the track of a turtle that had come up
on the sand to lay her eggs, as was evidenced by the fact that the eggs
themselves were found, and a few of them appropriated.

Although his investigation thus far was reassuring, Leslie was not yet
by any means satisfied. He wished to obtain a much clearer idea than he
yet possessed of the actual extent and general shape of his island; and
the only way by which this was to be accomplished, and at the same time
a general survey of it effected, was to ascend to the summit of the
mountain. This promised to be a decidedly arduous task, in that
climate, especially as they had been cooped up for so long a time within
the narrow confines of a small vessel, with very limited space for
taking exercise. But he determined nevertheless to attempt it, feeling
that he could never be perfectly easy in his mind until he had done so,
and they accordingly set out forthwith on their way.

Path, of cou