here
abundance of water and all things that we needed which could reasonably
be hoped for.

We came, after a little coasting, to a small and sheltered creek, into
which it was quite easy to carry our vessel. The creek ran some little
way inland, with deep water for some distance, so here we beached the
shallop and got off and looked about us.

Although by this time the day was grown somewhat old, we were determined
to do at least a measure of exploring then and there, and ascertain
some, at least, of the resources of our new territory. There was, of
course, the possibility that we might meet with wild animals or with
still wilder savages, but we did not feel very much alarm about either
possibility. For we were a fairly large party; we were all well-armed,
and well capable of using our weapons. Each of us carried pistols and a
hanger, Marjorie with the rest, she being as skilful in their use as any
lad of her age might be. For my own part I always wore in my coat pocket
a little pistol Lancelot had given me, that looked like a toy, but was a
marvel of mechanism and precision. Weaponed as we were, we had come,
moreover, into that kind of confidence which comes to those who have
just passed unscathed through grave peril, a confidence which is, as it
were, a second wind of courage.

It would not do, of course, to leave our boat unprotected, so it was
necessary to tell off by lot a certain number of our men to stay with it
and guard it. All the men were so eager for exploration that those upon
whom the lots fell to remain behind with the shallop made rather wry
faces; but Lancelot cheered them by telling them that theirs was a
position to the full as honourable as that of explorers, and that in any
case those who looked after the boat one day should be relieved and go
with the exploring party on the next day, turn and turn about.

This satisfied them, and they settled down to their duty in content. It
was agreed upon that in case of any danger or any attack, whether by
savages or by wild beasts--for in those parts of the world there might
well be monstrous and warlike creatures--they were to make an alarm by
blowing upon a horn which we had with us, and by firing a shot. It was
to be their task while we were away to prepare a fire for our evening
meal. We had our supply of provisions and of water with us, but those of
us who were to explore had very good hopes that we should bring back to
the skiff not merely the good n