g breakfast. On the shore Tom, had found some oysters and
shell-fish, and these were baking. Among the provisions were a little
tea and coffee, and old Jerry had made a pot of coffee, which did
one good to smell. Sam had brought down some cocoanuts from a nearby
tree, and also found some ripe bananas.

"We won't starve' to death here, that's certain," said Dick, when
they all sat down to eat. "The island is full of good things. If I
had a gun I could bring down lots of birds, and monkeys, too."

"I don't think I'd care to eat a monkey," said Grace. "But I wouldn't
mind eating birds."

"There must be plenty of fish here, too," said Tom. "In fact I saw
some sporting in the waters of a little bay up the coast."

"Shall we go up and down the coast after breakfast?" asked Sam.

"My advice is to climb yonder hill and take a squint around," came
from Captain Jerry.

"That's a splendid idea, providing we can get to the tap," said Dick.

"There is no use of all of us going, lad. You can go with me while
the rest stay here."

"What shall we do in the meantime?" asked Sam.

"Better try your hand at fishin', lad, and see if you can knock some
birds over with sticks and stones. If ye get anything, let the girls
cook us somethin', for we'll be powerful hungry by the time we get back."

Half an hour later Captain Jerry and Dick set out. Each carried a
few ship's biscuits and also a heavy stick which had been cut in the
thickets. Each wished he had a gun or a pistol, but those articles
were not to be had.

The climb up the hill was by no means an easy one. The rocks were
rough and in many spots the jungle of brush and vines was so thick
that to get through was next to impossible. It was very warm, and
they had to stop often to cool off and catch their breath.

"I don't wonder that people in hot countries move slowly," said Dick.
"I feel more like resting than doing anything else."

It was almost noon when they came in sight of the top of the hill.
There were still some rough rocks to climb, and these they had to
ascend by means of some vines that grew handy.

"What a magnificent view!" cried Dick.

It certainly was magnificent. Looking back in the direction they had
come they could see the Pacific Ocean, glittering in the bright
sun-light and stretching miles and miles out of sight.

The island they were on looked to be about half a mile in diameter.
Northward, eastward, and westward was the ocean, but to the southwa