"good mans," but Nick was evidently doubtful about the matter. On
reaching the beach the party from the boats landed without difficulty,
and two men being left in charge of each, the rest proceeded in search
of any signs of the _Fair Imogene's_ crew. Mr Norman said he thought
they might probably have built a hut on the shore with part of the
wreck, or erected a flag-staff to make signals to any passing vessel.
Not far off was a stream of fresh water, which would have enabled them
to remain on the spot.

Birds innumerable, of gay plumage, and the traces of four-footed
animals, showed that they could have been in no want of food. A search
of an hour and a half or more, however, convinced Mr Norman that if the
crew had landed there, they must have soon taken their departure, either
inland or along the coast, for not the slightest sign of them could be
found. The next thing was to discover some natives with whom to try and
open up a communication. Not far off to the right was a rocky hill
partly covered with trees. Mr Norman, taking two of his men with him,
climbed to the top, hoping from thence to be able to obtain a good view
over the country, and to ascertain if any human habitation existed in
the neighbourhood. Tom and Gerald, with their party, accompanied by the
natives, had, perhaps imprudently, pushed further inland, intending to
return to meet the lieutenant, who had neglected to give them any
directions to remain stationary until he had come down from the hill.
This was considerably higher than he had supposed, and occupied him a
much longer time than he had expected in gaining the summit. He
obtained, however, a much more extensive view than he had thought
possible. Although the shore was fringed with trees, which made it
appear as if the whole country was covered with them, there were here
and there plantations or open grassy spaces, as also numerous huts,
built apparently like those of the Malays, on piles. He had been for
some time noting these and various other objects, when he caught sight
below the hill, to the westward, of a considerable body of men, some
armed with muskets, others with bows, spears, and swords. As they were
making directly for the hill, he had but little doubt that he had been
observed; and as they might cut him and his companions off from the rest
of the party, he considered it prudent instantly to descend. Just as he
got to the bottom, he caught sight between the trees of a