and
darkness will be upon us in another five minutes; it is time for us to
be getting back to the camp."

Despite the croaking of the frogs, the snore of the tree toads, the
incessant buzz and chirr of insects, and the multitudinous nocturnal
sounds incidental to life upon a tropical island overgrown with
vegetation, ay, and despite the mosquitoes, too, all hands slept soundly
that night, and awoke next morning refreshed and invigorated, the sick
especially exhibiting unmistakable symptoms of improvement already, due
doubtless to the large quantities of fruit which they had consumed on
the preceding day. The wounded, too, were doing exceedingly well, the
coolness of the large tent in which they had passed the night, as
compared with the suffocating atmosphere of their confined quarters
aboard ship, being all in their favour, to say nothing of the assiduous
care which Phil bestowed upon them.

The first thing in order was for all hands who were able to go down to
the beach and indulge in a good long swim, shouting at the top of their
lungs, and splashing incessantly, in accordance with Marshall's orders,
in order to scare away any sharks that might chance to be prowling in
the neighbourhood. Then, a spring of clear fresh water having been
discovered within about three-quarters of a mile of the camp, one watch
was sent off to the ship to bring ashore all the soiled clothing, while
the other watch mounted guard over the camp; after which all hands went
to breakfast; and then, working watch and watch about, there ensued a
general washing of soiled clothes at the spring, and a subsequent drying
of them on the grass in the rays of the sun. This done, a gang was sent
on board the ship to start the remaining stock of water and pump it out;
after which the ship was lightened by the removal of her stores,
ammunition, and ordnance, until her draught was reduced to nine feet,
when her anchor was hove up and she was towed into the river, where she
was moored, bow and stern, immediately abreast of the camp. The
completion of this job finished the day's work, at the end of which
Marshall, having mustered all hands, proclaimed that in consequence of
the lamented death of their gallant shipmate and officer, Mr Lumley, he
had decided to promote Mr Winter to the position thus rendered vacant;
and further that, as a second lieutenant was still required, he had
determined, after the most careful consideration, to promote Mr Richard
Ch