ate's opinion that they were on an island became fully confirmed. At
noon they sat down to rest and dine in a shady spot with the sea in
view, Dan having first gone out some distance ahead to ascertain whether
any native village was in sight.

"All right!" he exclaimed as he returned, flourishing his stick. "As
far as my eyes can see, there is no other living being anywhere on the
island; and we would be after adding a fine counthry to the possessions
of England, if we had but the British flag to hoist to the top of a tall
pole, and take possession of it in the name of King George." Dan was a
loyal Irishman, and there were many such in his day.

"We may take possession of the island, though we should find it a
different matter to keep it should any one choose to dispute our right,"
said the mate. "However, when we have finished our survey, we will
think about the matter; and if we get to Sydney, we will petition the
governor to follow up your suggestion, Dan. At present, we must get our
dinner ready."

Till Dan's return they had refrained from lighting a fire; but wood
having been collected, a light was set to it, and their smoked fish and
iguana flesh were put before it to cook. They were thankful that they
had brought water, as not a rivulet or pool had they come to, and they
would otherwise have suffered greatly.

They had just finished their meal, and were still sitting, no one
speaking, as they all felt somewhat tired, when Walter, hearing a
whistle or chirp close behind him, turned his head and saw standing not
far off a large bird of dark plumage,--or rather with feathers, for he
saw no wings,--with a helmet-like protuberance at the top of its head
resembling mother-of-pearl darkened with black-lead. It had enormous
feet and legs of a pale ash colour; the loose skin of its neck was
coloured with an iridescent hue of bluish-purple, pink, and green; the
body being of a rufous tinge, but of a purple-black about the neck and
breast. The bird stood its ground boldly, not in the slightest degree
alarmed at the appearance of the strangers, as it eyed them with a look
of intense curiosity. Now it poked forward its head, and advanced a
little: now it stood up, raising its head to the ordinary height of a
man; now it sank down again, till its back did not appear more than
three feet from the ground. Though strange-looking, there was nothing
ferocious in its aspect; on the contrary, it appeared to have come
si