e that they would one and
all have refused duty.

Supper over, the Crusoe men lounged on the grass, in front of the cabin,
and talked of what they had done, and what they intended to do--all
except Friday, who busied himself in clearing the table, and washing the
dishes. At sunset it was quite dark in the cove; but the governor knew
there was still plenty of light on the cliffs above, and he waited
nearly two hours more before he gave the signal for action.

"I reckon we can be movin' now," said he, at length. "I don't s'pose
there is any danger, but, of course, it will be well for us to keep our
eyes an' ears open. If them fellers up there havn't found out by this
time that there's something goin' on, it aint no fault of our'n; fur
we've made mighty free with their fruit an' vegetables durin' the last
few nights. Cap'n, see that each man is provided with a sack to put the
taters in."

Tom repeated the order to his mate, who went into the cabin, and
presently returned with an armful of bags, which he distributed among
the band. The chief then lighted his lantern, and, every thing being
ready for the start, led the way toward the cliff, the ascent of which
was regarded by the members of the band as the worst part of the
undertaking. The fissure along which the path ran, was as dark as
midnight; and the faint light which the governor's lantern threw out,
afforded them but little assistance in finding their way.

They had made the ascent so often, however, that they had become quite
familiar with the path, and there was no danger of losing their way, or
of falling over the rocks. They crossed the chasm by the rope bridge in
safety, and finally reached the summit, where the governor extinguished
his light, and stopped to reconnoiter. Every thing was still, and Sam
was satisfied that the coast was clear, although he thought it best to
give his men a few final instructions.

"There don't seem to be nothin' wrong," said he, "but, bein' an old fox,
I know it aint always best to put too much faith in appearances. We
won't go straight to the field, 'cause there may be somebody on the
watch, you know; an' if they see where we come from, they'll discover
our hidin'-place, an' then we can bid good-by to all hopes of ever
seein' our island. If they get after us, we'll scatter out an' hide from
'em--we can easy do that in the dark--an' when they're gone, we'll meet
here. But remember, fellers, we aint comin' back without them tat