nd perhaps catch her, we
returned to our cave. Here we amused ourselves by skinning and
preparing the young capybara for the spit. When it was ready we hung it
up on a stick stuck in the wall. We then set to work and formed a
fireplace of earth, and, as soon as it was finished, we went out again
and collected a supply of firewood. When this was done, we were greatly
tempted to light a fire and roast our capybara, but prudence prevailed.
Instead of that we hunted about, and were rewarded by finding some
berries and small plums, which were very ripe, and, as we saw the birds
eating them, we had no doubt that they were wholesome.

"`We need have no fear of starving now, faith,' observed Gerald; `I am
not certain but that I would rather live this Robinson Crusoe sort of
life for a few weeks than go on board and have to keep watch.'

"Come, come, you ought not to tell the commander that, Tom," exclaimed
Gerald, interrupting Tom when he said this. "You know you agreed with
me that it would be very jolly fun if it was not for the chance of being
caught."

"Yes, I know I did," answered Tom, "but remember I added, if it were not
for the anxiety we were causing my brother and Lieutenant Adair."

"Well, youngsters," observed Jack, "it was very natural, though you
would have soon got tired of the life; but how did you get on for the
remainder of the time?"

"Very well, considering all things," continued Tom; "it was fortunate,
however, that we did not light the fire, for as I went down to the river
to get some water in my shoe, having nothing else to carry it in, as I
looked up towards the cliff I caught sight of several people standing on
the top. As their eyes were, however, directed further up the stream, I
hoped that they had not caught sight of me, though I could not be sure.
At all events, I quickly drew back and hurried to the cave to warn
Desmond of the danger we were in. We at once went inside and covered up
the entrance as well as we could with the boughs, so that even should
any one come to look for us and pass the spot we might escape
discovery."

"We lay down anxiously listening for any sound, but none was heard, and
at last we both dropped off to sleep.

"`This must not happen again, though,' I said to Gerald, when at length
we awoke. `Perhaps a vessel may have passed down the river while we
were snoozing, and we have lost our chance of getting on board. Those
fellows were probably looking out for her