are beautiful. Why stare you so, Martin? Is it so wonderful
I joy in life and find it sweet in so fair a world and on such a day?
Moreover I have been swimming--"

"How?" says I, "and the sea so rough!"

"I have found me a little bay where the waters run smooth and deep.
But come, let us breakfast, for to-day, Martin, to-day we will explore
our island."

"Why, I had thought to try my saw to-day," says I, "I had intended to
begin a chair for you."

"Nay, let this rest awhile; Martin, to-day I yearn to adventure the
unknown, who can say what marvels and wonders lie waiting us?"

"As you will!" says I, rising, and so away to the plateau. Now very
soon I had the fire a-going and while she bustled to and fro preparing
breakfast and singing very sweet and blithe to hear, I took the pistol,
and having cleaned and oiled it, found it very well; then I loaded it
with one of my six bullets, using a strip from my ragged shirtsleeve
for wads. This done I laid it by and, going for Adam's journal, I cut
therefrom the map of the island and fell to studying it with a view to
our forthcoming journey. The which map I give herewith:

(Map of the island.)

Hearing my companion call me I went out to find breakfast ready, the
fish broiled and very appetising. While we ate I showed her Adam's map
and she greatly pleased therewith and anxious to know how I came by it,
all of which I told her. And she, examining this plan, grows but the
more eager to be gone on this expedition.

"But, Martin," says she all at once as she studied the map, "Master
Penfeather would seem to have been forced to slay a great number of
poor men, here be--one--two--three--O many men all dead by his
hand--and each marked with a little cross."

"Aye," I nodded, "and each and every 'slain of necessity'" ...

"Which meaneth--what, Martin?"

"Murder, like as not, though 'tis all cunningly glozed in his journal."

"I would fain see this journal, Martin."

"Why, so you shall and judge thereby whether he be rogue or no, for
'tis beyond me."

"But now," says she rising, "let us make ready for our journey, though
'twill be no great matter, for according to this plan the island is no
more than seven miles long and some five miles wide."

"Even so," quoth I, "'twill be ill travelling by reason of woods and
tangled thickets, swamps and the like, so I judge 'twill take the whole
day."

"Why then," says she, leaping up, "the sooner we start the better,
Marti