He had the same feeling, and we agreed that we
would seize the first opportunity of doing something, though what we
would do would depend upon circumstances. Week after week passed away,
and the opportunity we looked for did not occur. At last, one day, when
close in with one of the numerous small islands of those seas, Mr Bryan
called me up, and ordered me to take command of the second cutter, with
six seamen and a couple of marines, and to go on shore to collect sand
for the use of the ship. I asked if Grey might accompany me.

"To keep each other out of mischief, I suppose," he observed. "Yes, he
may go, but, remember there's an order against taking arms with you. It
is feared that you youngsters will be running your heads into danger if
you have the means of fighting."

There was nothing very romantic or interesting in prospect for us, but
still it was something to get away from the ship, and to feel that, in a
certain sense, we were to be our own masters for a few hours. Billy
Wise, the captain's steward, was also sent in the boat. I have not
mentioned Billy for some time. He had not, however, improved in sense
since he came to sea this time, but was continually committing some
extraordinary blunder or other. Toby Bluff also accompanied us. The
boat was manned and ready to shove off, but Grey had not appeared, so I
ran up the side to call him, leaving Billy in charge. I was not gone a
minute, for Grey, who was waiting for a basket to collect shells, at
once joined me. The wind was light, and while the frigate, under easy
sail, stood off shore, we pulled towards it.

We had not got far from the ship, when a piece of sail-cloth being
kicked aside, I saw under it several ship's muskets. I counted five of
them. I found also that there was a supply of ammunition and half a
dozen cutlasses. How they came there was a mystery. No one knew, at
least no one would tell. Billy Wise said that all sorts of things had
been handed into the boat, and that the men had told him that they were
spades to dig sand. Grey and I agreed that, though we could not have
ventured to disobey orders and take arms, since the muskets were there,
if we should meet with an enemy, it would of course be our duty to use
them. The chances, however, of our falling in with one seemed very
remote.

The heat was considerable, but not quite so hot as Mr Johnson had
declared we should find it. We had a long pull, however, and as the men