and the chirping of some distant birds.

"I reckon I had best go first," said Captain Blossom, but he did not
seem to relish the task.

Gun in hand, the captain advanced very cautiously. The boys came
close behind him, each with his pistol ready for use.

Of a sudden there was a snarl with a strange "yow-yawing," and a
great beast leaped up on all-fours directly in their path and darted
through the bushes. The captain raised his gun and the boys their
pistols, but before they could fire the beast had disappeared.

"What was it?" asked Sam, trembling with excitement.

"I give it up, unless it was a bear," said Tom.

"I think I know what it was," said the captain. "A big baboon or a
gorilla."

"I guess you are right, captain," answered Tom. "I saw a gorilla in
a menagerie, and it was exactly like that beast. But what a big fellow
he was!"

"Gorillas are highly dangerous, especially when cornered," said
Captain Blossom. He himself was more frightened than he cared to
admit. "They have been known to carry a man off in their arms and
bite him to death."

"Thanks, but I want no gorillas around me," declared Sam.

They waited several minutes before advancing again. But the gorilla
had disappeared, nor did it show itself again during that trip on
the island.

Half an hour brought them in sight of the seashore once more. They
were gazing at the sea when Tom happened to glance back, and on the
hill behind them saw four goats standing in a bunch, looking at them
in astonishment.

"Quick! out of sight!" he cried, and dragged the others behind some
trees.

"What did you see?"

"Several goats. Perhaps, if we are careful, we can get a shot at
them. Fresh goat meat won't go bad."

"What's the matter with capturing some of the goats and getting the
milk?" came from Sam.

"You'll have a job catching wild goats," answered Captain Blossom.
"They are as fleet of foot as deer."

It was decided to try two shots at the goats, providing they could
get close enough. With care they plunged into the undergrowth and
made their way back up the hillside until they thought they must be
within fifty yards of the game.

"There they are!" cried Tom softly.

Bang! went the captain's gun, and crack! Tom fired immediately after.
Two of the goats were hit, and one fell dead. The other staggered
away with a broken foreleg.

"We must get that second fellow!" cried Sam, and rushed after the
game. The goat tried to turn on him, but