as divided
pretty evenly by a ridge or spur of the mountain, which passed down its
entire length.

The island varied considerably in width, being irregularly shaped
somewhat like a diamond or lozenge, with numerous bays and creeks on its
western side, but none whatever on the east. It was well wooded
throughout, and presented a magnificent park-like appearance.

I had brought my most powerful glass with me, and from the commanding
elevation upon which I stood, I now carefully swept the entire island as
far as the range of my glass permitted, but without detecting the
slightest trace of inhabitants.

Greatly gratified at the perfect security which this promised, I now
retraced my steps, as the sun, which had burst through the clouds, was
by this time approaching the horizon; and in about a couple of hours I
found myself once more on board the cutter, where I was joyously
welcomed by my companions, who had both begun to feel very uneasy at my
prolonged absence.

Of course I did not fail to take back with me a plentiful supply of
fruit, upon which we regaled ourselves luxuriously after a late dinner,
during which I gave a detailed report of my explorations.

So satisfactory was this, that my companions were both delighted when I
announced my intention of remaining there for a sufficient length of
time to careen and examine the cutter; and as this would of course
necessitate the taking of everything movable out of her, it was arranged
that we should commence our work next morning by rigging up a couple of
tents on shore, in which to take up our quarters until the cutter was
once more ready to receive us.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

ATTACKED BY SAVAGES.

When I awoke next morning the sun was just appearing above the cliffs
which bounded our basin on its eastern side, the sky was cloudless, and
the trade-wind had once more resumed its supremacy, sweeping in a gentle
breeze over the tree-crowned summits of the cliffs, though down in the
basin we only felt the mildest zephyr. Calling Bob, who was still sound
asleep, I proceeded to the deck to enjoy the balmy freshness of the
morning and await his appearance; and as soon as he joined me we both
jumped into the boat, armed with soap and towel, and directed our steps
to the cascade, which was hidden from our present berth by a slight
projection of the face of the intervening cliff.

When we arrived at the spot we found that instead of falling sheer from
the top of the cli