easy landing place, for the waves came
rolling in, even through the narrow entrance, creating a surf on the
sandy shore, and scarcely had her stern touched the beach than a sea
burst on board, not only wetting every one through, but nearly washing
several articles out of her. All hands therefore jumped out.

"Now, lads, a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together," cried
Tim. In another minute the boat was hauled up the beach, and they began
taking out the things and carrying them to the spot where they had left
their fire burning. Fortunately, the muskets and ammunition, though
wet, had been saved, as had the articles of value in the boat, together
with a compass which Tom had thoughtfully brought, although they had
hitherto had no use for it. The ashes of their fire were still alight,
but they at once found that the exposed beach was not the spot where
they would exactly wish to encamp.

"We must find some sheltered place, where we can put up our tent," said
Tom to Desmond. "A high overhanging rock would suit us best, but it
won't do to be under these tall mahogany trees, which may at any moment
crash down upon our heads, and we have already had a specimen of how
they are likely to behave."

"I'd rather get into a snug cavern, if we can discover one," said
Desmond. "But how is that to be found in the dark?"

"I'll soon twist up a couple of torches such as I used to make when I
was Prime Minister of the Cannibal Islands," cried Pat Casey. "I think
we could find our way to the left, where I saw some big rocks this
morning, and I should not be surprised to find tolerable shelter under
them."

"We ought to be there as soon as possible," observed Tom, "for we shall
probably have the rain down upon us before many minutes are over,--and
the hurricane has only just begun, we must remember. Get your torches
made as soon as you can. Before we leave this we must look after the
boat, and haul her farther up the beach; it is impossible to say how
high the water may rise with a hurricane setting on the shore."

They accordingly hurried back and ran the boat some feet farther up, but
beyond that they found it impossible to move her.

"If we leave her as she is, she'll sure to be blown away," observed
Jerry Bird. "If I may advise, sir, I'd make a sort of dock all round
her, and fill her up with sand, so as to sink her in it. It will cost
us some little trouble to clear it out again, but it will be better th