in a great measure due, too, to the fact that the island
we were on, though answering accurately to the description given of the
treasure-island, was quite unlike the picture my imagination had
conjured up.

"Now for the other mark," I exclaimed; "it is on one or other of the
remaining six trees, if this really be--"

"Here it is," again exclaimed Ella, darting to a tree which stood on the
edge of the clump, and again pointing out a mark very similar to the
first.

Of the nature of this mark, too, there could be no possible doubt. I
seized a half-consumed stick from the embers of the expiring fire: and,
getting the two marked trees in line, I walked away from them, keeping
them in one, until I saw, just clear of the trees and bushes on the
southern extremity of the island, a small pinnacle of uncovered rock
peering blackly out from among the snowy glittering surf. I then drove
the stick I held in my hand deep into the sandy beach, exclaiming, "Here
lies the buried treasure-ship, if there be any truth in the story."

"We'll soon set that question at rest," exclaimed Bob. "Here, you two
niggers, jump into this here canoe and paddle me down to the cutter as
quick as you knows how. I'm off a'ter they shovels as we laid in for
this here very job," he explained, turning to me, "and I'll be back
ag'in in next to no time."

Whilst he was _gone_, I sought and obtained an explanation from Ella of
the manner in which she had made this most important discovery. It
seemed that she had amused herself by wandering pretty nearly all over
the island, whilst we were hard at work upon the schooner, and in one of
her rambles her attention had been attracted to this very clump of
trees. Their number had impressed itself upon her, and, endeavouring to
remember what it was she had heard or dreamed connected with seven
cocoa-nut trees, the story of the treasure had suddenly flashed across
her mind. This led, of course, to an examination of the trees and the
discovery of the marks upon them, on the day but one preceding the
launch of the schooner; and, seeing that we were disposed to make the
launching day a gala day, she decided to keep her own counsel until the
arrival of the day itself, and to let the revelation of the discovery be
made at such a time as still further to increase our reasons for
rejoicing. And upon this resolution had been based her plot for the
picnic.

"I am so delighted, Harry, dear," she added in conclusi