ted it bravely thus far!" says I, "But--"

"But?" says she, "And what then? You shall find me no laggard these
days, Martin. Indeed I could run fast as you for all your long legs,
sir."

So she challenges me to race her forthwith, whereupon (and despite the
sun) we started off side by side and she so fleet that I might scarce
keep pace with her; thus we ran until at last we stopped all flushed
and breathless and laughing for the pure joy of it.

Presently in our going we came on a little dell, very shady and
pleasantly secluded, where flowers bloomed and great clusters of wild
grapes hung ripe for the plucking; and mighty pleasant methought it to
behold my companion's pleased wonderment. Here we sat to rest and
found these grapes very sweet and refreshing.

Much might I tell of the marvels of this island, of fruit and bird and
beast, of the great butterflies that wheeled and hovered resplendent,
and of the many and divers wonders that beset us at every turn; but
lest my narrative grow to immoderate length (of the which I do already
begin to entertain some doubt) I will pass these with this mere mention
and hurry on to say that we tramped blithely on until, the sun
declining westwards, warned us to be turning back; but close before us
rose that high hill whose summit towered above the island, and my
companion mighty determined that she must climb it.

"For, Martin," says she, scornful of all weariness, "once up there we
may behold all our domain spread out before us!"

So having skirted the woods and avoided tangled thickets as well as we
might, we began the ascent, which we found to be no great matter after
all. And now I bethought me how Adam had sped hotfoot up hereabouts on
a time and with Tressady's glittering hook ringing loud on the rocks
behind him. More than once as we climbed we came on flocks of goats
that scampered off at sight of us; here, too, I remarked divers great
birds and determined to try a shot at one if chance should offer. As
to my companion, I had all I could do to keep up with her until,
flushed and breathless, she turned to view me all radiant-eyed where we
stood panting upon the summit. And now beholding the prospect below,
she uttered a soft, inarticulate cry, and sinking down upon the sward,
pushed the damp curls from her brow the better to survey the scene
outstretched before us.

A rolling, wooded country of broad savannahs, of stately groves and
mazy boskages, of dim woods a