ow you, Grant," replied the instructor.

"We must move very slowly."

"There is plenty of time."

Richard led the way, crawling like a snake upon the grass, so slowly
and so cautiously that not a particle of noise seemed to be made. Near
the centre of the island there was a clump of trees, which had been
dignified by the title of a grove. The mutineers were seated upon the
ground in this place. Though the distance to the grove from the place
where Mr. Gault and Richard had landed was only a few rods, more than
half an hour was consumed in reaching a spot which would be near enough
to enable them to hear what was said.

The deep gloom beneath a spreading oak afforded them a friendly
shelter; and here they disposed of themselves to the best advantage to
effect the object in view. For half an hour they listened to
conversation on all topics. Various wild schemes were proposed to bring
the colonel to terms. Some declared their intention to spend a week on
the island.

"We should freeze and starve," said another.

"No; Leslie--I mean Kennedy--said he would supply us with food; and we
can make a tent of the sails of the boat."

"Let us stick together, whatever we do," added another. "If we could
only have got Grant over here, we should have fixed him."

"Thank you," said Richard to himself; and he listened to this kind of
talk for some time, beginning to fear that he should not obtain the
information for which he came.

"Regulators, come to order!" said Nevers, at last, much to the
satisfaction of the listeners. "Are all present Regulators?"

"They are," replied Redman.

"Guards, to your stations."

Richard could not see where their stations were; and he hoped the line
of their duty would not lead them to the oak under which Mr. Gault and
himself were seated.

"It is a long time since we have had a chance to hold a regular
meeting; and it may be a long time before we are able to do so again.
Perhaps it was lucky that all except the Regulators backed out,"
continued Nevers. "You all know the business we have on our hands."

"We do," replied several.

"By a judicious use of _watermelons_ and _sleep-walking_, we shall
accomplish our purpose," continued Nevers.

"We must do it before the next election, my chief," said Redman.

"It is of no use to attempt to whip him, or any thing of that sort,"
answered "my chief," which seemed to be the official designation of the
presiding officer.

"I have a plan which