or the ship."

Tim now shouted out that the "taters" were cooked, and returning to the
camp-fire, the party enjoyed a very satisfactory repast with the aid of
the bananas and cocoa-nuts. After this they made their way for some
distance inland, passing large forests of tamanas, or mahogany trees,
which appeared to cover the greater part of the island. Excepting in
the deserted plantation, they could discover no other fruit-bearing
trees or roots, but they observed traces of some wild animals, which Pat
asserted must be hogs.

As there was some risk of losing themselves, and there was nothing to
induce them to continue their ramble, they returned to the boat.
Desmond, seconded by Billy, now proposed that they should set to work to
fish, that they might carry a supply with them on board.

Tom agreed, and Pat having collected a quantity of crabs which he found
among the rocks, to serve as bait, they once more embarked. They pulled
out towards the mouth of the bay, just inside of a high reef, which
completely shut out the sea from their view. Here, so clear was the
water, that although fully three fathoms deep, the bottom could be
clearly seen, covered with masses of coloured coral and sea-weeds of
various shades and tints. Amid them they observed beautiful fish of all
sizes and tints, gliding in all directions, now disappearing under some
cavern, now darting again into sight.

"As the creatures can see us and our lines, we shall have no chance of
catching any," said Tom.

"Just try, your honour," exclaimed Pat; "they're mighty hungry bastes,
and not accustomed to the look of white faces, so that they will not
know what we're afther."

The hooks were accordingly baited with crabs, and scarcely was the first
line let down than a big fish caught it, and was immediately hauled up.

"I told you so," cried Pat exultingly; "we shall have as many as we like
to catch."

All were now eager to get their lines overboard, and no sooner had the
hooks sunk towards the bottom than the fish, attracted by the tempting
bait, dashed forward and seized them.

"We'll mighty soon have a boat load," exclaimed Pat, as fish after fish
was hauled in.

Suddenly a change came over the scene. From out of a cavern, far down
below the reef, a huge form appeared, very similar to the monster which
had attacked the boat in the stalactite cave. Rapidly and noiselessly
it glided up, and before Billy, who just then felt a bite, saw its
appro