It was curious to
watch the arch growing higher and higher, and the light gradually
increasing. They had almost reached the entrance, when, on either side,
not one, but several sharks, came gliding up. One, bolder and bigger
than the rest, seized the blade of an oar, crunching off the end; and
the other men had to keep a watchful eye to save theirs from being
destroyed. Tom fired the other musket, and declared that the bullet
went through the shark's head. As the monster did not appear the worse
for it, Desmond and Billy doubted the fact. Not until Tom had fired
several times, and the boat had got to a considerable distance from the
cavern, did the sharks leave her.

"There's one thing certain: that's not a place to bathe in, nor would it
be pleasant to tumble overboard hereabouts," observed Tom, gravely. "I
never can see those black monsters, with their wicked eyes, floating
near and looking up at one, without feeling uncomfortable."

They had to row farther than they expected. At last they saw a narrow
opening in a reef of rocks, within which they made out a small bay, with
a sandy shore, where they could land with ease and draw up the boat.
The country beyond, too, looked far more tempting than they had yet
seen. The water in the passage was deep, so that they had no difficulty
in making their way into the bay. As yet they had seen nothing of the
second lieutenant's and the master's boats, which, supposing the island
to be of small size, they had expected to meet coming round from the
opposite side.

"We shall probably see them if we cut directly across the island,"
observed Tom.

They were not disappointed in the bay. The beach was exactly what they
wished for. They hauled the boat up, and agreed that she could be left
without danger.

"But I hope you fellows are not going to begin a long march without some
food," observed Billy, who was noted for his excellent appetite. "We
have no game, nor have we caught any fish. It's lucky that we brought
some food, as I advised."

Wood was collected, and a fire quickly made. As they had brought cold
meat and bread with them, they had only their potatoes to cook. This
operation was superintended by Tim, while the rest of the party searched
for any other productions of the island which might add to their repast.
They had not gone far when Tom exclaimed--

"Why, there are some cocoa-nut trees, and very fine ones, too. I
thought there were none on the isla