nt out, to find that Small and
Mr Morgan were taking the morning watch, while Billy Widgeon was
lighting a fire in the rock kitchen.

He was very sleepy still, and his couch coaxed; but he mastered the
sluggishness, fetched his piece of calico which did duty for a towel,
and after a careful inspection of the water, in company with Mr Morgan,
he had a good bathe, and came back to shore feeling as if filled with
new life, and ready for the expedition of the coming adventurous day.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

HOW BILLY WIDGEON WENT SOMEWHERE.

The preparations were soon made, and directly after breakfast, in spite
of Mr Morgan's desire to be of the company, the little band of half the
occupants of the isle gathered for the start. Mr Gregory was obliged
to remain and take charge of the camp, leaving the captain free to be
the head, with the major for his lieutenant, Small, Billy Widgeon, and
two other men.

Mark was to be left behind, but a piteous appeal reversed the edict,
and, armed with a gun, he took his place with the expedition folk ready
for the start.

They took a bag or two for fruit and game, a small amount of luncheon
for each, and their arms and ammunition. Thus equipped and with the
good wishes of those they left behind, the party set off for the creek
where the nipah-palms grew, and up the path followed by Mark and the
major before, but with the intention of turning off where the steam
issued from the earth, as everyone seemed to select the jungle between
that and the mountain-slope as being the spot from whence the roaring
sounds were heard.

Backed by the knowledge already gained, there was not much difficulty in
reaching the scene of the fright with the supposed serpent; and here
they paused to try the ground, which sent out puffs of steam with a loud
hiss directly it was pierced.

Billy Widgeon shook his head at it and looked at Small, who frowned,
took off his cap, and scratched his head, as if he did not approve of
the place as one for a walk.

Just then there was a capital opportunity for a shot at the great
pigeons; but shooting was forbidden until their return, the object being
to trace the strange creature if possible and see what it was like.

"It can't be a crocodile," said the major, "for there is no river up
this way except this bit of a stream; great snake I can't believe it is;
what is it, then?"

"The only way is to examine every bit of soft ground for traces of
footprints," s