and gardens, and even into the
temples. I soon found my way down to the sea-shore, and used to pretend
to be busy in picking up shells, and in stringing them together into
necklaces and bracelets for my own adornment. Then I made others, which
I presented, with many a strange antic, to anybody I met. Day after day
did I continue this employment, my eye wandering anxiously over the blue
sea in search of the wished-for vessel.

Drearily passed the time, without a human being with whom I could
exchange an idea we might hold in common. I learned then fully to
appreciate the value of the society and sympathy of my fellow-men. At
length, one day as I sat at my usual occupation on the shore, my eyes
fell on a white speck just rising above the horizon. Anxiously,
intently did I watch it. Slowly it increased. First I made out the
topgallant-sails; then the topsails; and at last the courses of a
square-rigged schooner. She approached the island. Oh, how my heart
beat within me for fear she might not come near the part where I was!

There was a channel through which vessels had more than once passed. A
point of land ran out into it, covered almost to the end with trees.
Towards this point I ran, concealing myself as much as I could among the
trees from the people on shore. I reached the point unobserved. I had
hoped to find a canoe there, but there was none. I looked about, and at
last discovered a log of banana-wood, which is very light. It had been
cast on shore. With my knife I cut a stick with a broad end, to serve
as a paddle and to defend myself against the sharks which abound on the
coast. I was ready to run all risks. I had become desperate. I felt
sure that if I were observed by the natives I should be brought back and
slaughtered. Still that idea did not daunt me. At every hazard I was
resolved to get on board, or to perish in the attempt.

Eagerly I kept my eye on the vessel. On she came. She was steering for
the channel. I got my log ready to launch. It was with no small dread
that I looked around to ascertain that I was not observed. I watched
for the moment to commence my perilous voyage, when, by pulling directly
out from the shore, I thought I could fetch her. I had secured two long
outriggers at each end of my log, to prevent it from turning round; the
tendrils of the wild vine served me as rope. The time arrived to launch
forth. With all my strength shoving the log into the water, I