mall, carry a loaded revolver. Better be prepared than be
caught helpless. Besides, you might, perhaps, unexpectedly get a shot
at a pig, and such a chance mustn't be lost."

Danger past, a sailor soon recovers his good-humour, and Billy Widgeon
ducked down, doubling himself up in a silent laugh.

"Which is right, Billy, my lad," said the boatswain good-humouredly.
"He thinks if we waits for pork till I brings down a pig with a
six-shooter the crackling won't burn and the stuffing spoil."

He thrust the weapon through the waistband of his trousers, right at the
back, so as to leave his hands free, and then looked up at the captain
for orders.

"We shall have to set-to and get provisions somehow, Small," said the
captain, "and begin in real earnest to-morrow, trying what we can do
with the guns inland. Suppose you and Widgeon try to unlay one of the
sail-ropes and make a fishing-line."

"And about hooks?" said the major.

"Ah! that has been a puzzle," said the captain, "that I have not solved
as yet."

"I know," said Mark eagerly. "The ladies are sure to have some
hair-pins."

"Which we can temper in the fire and hammer into shape," said the
captain. "Think you could raise a barb at one end before we point it,
major?"

"I think I can try," replied the major.

"And I could pynt 'em on the stones," said Billy eagerly.

"Then the fishing difficulty is over," said the captain. "Fish are sure
to swarm off those rocks."

"I say, Billy," said Small, giving one ear a rub, "aren't there a couple
o' fishing-lines in the locker of the gig?"

Billy gave one of his short legs a slap, turned sharply and ran down to
the boat, where he lifted a triangular lid in the bows, and gave a cheer
as he plunged in his hand.

"Three on 'em," he cried, "and good uns."

"Then we sha'n't starve yet, major. There are fish and water."

"And cocoa-nuts in plenty," cried Mark.

"If we can get at them," said the major.

"Why, Billy, couldn't you climb one o' them trees?" cried Small.

"I could--one of the small ones," said Mark.

"But the small ones don't seem to bear nuts," said the captain quietly.

"I dunno," said Billy, after a spell of thinking. "I'm a bit skeert
about it."

"What, afraid?" growled Small.

"No, no, not afraid," said Billy; "skeert as I couldn't get up. You see
there's no branches, not a sign o' one till you gets to the place where
the nuts grows, and then the branches is all leaves."

"No," s