tly after a cloud of
largish birds, somewhat like the British nightjar in appearance, came
swooping by, separating as soon as they were outside, and making for the
forest patches across the canon.

"Do you know them?" said Briscoe, turning round to Brace.

"No: some kind of bird that goes to roost there, I suppose."

"Yes; they roost and breed and live there," said Briscoe. "They're
night-birds, and we've started them before their usual feeding-time.
Those are the South American oil-birds."

"Yes, I remember," cried Brace. "They breed in the caves round
Trinidad, I've read."

"That's right. Well, we don't want to try whether they're good to eat.
This way, my lads," he continued, as Dan and three of the men came up to
make the fire and start cooking. "Make your kitchen right in here."

This was done, and soon after, as the night fell, the interior of the
cave glowed brightly, showing something of its dimensions, and that it
extended far into the mountain.

The question was discussed whether it would not be wise to make it their
resting-place for the night, affording as it did a roomy shelter such as
would make a very welcome change for people who had been cramped up so
long in the narrow dimensions of the boats.

But the captain objected, wisely enough, to leaving his boats entirely
unguarded, so a compromise was come to, and it was decided that half of
each boat's party were to remain below, while the others took possession
of the cavern.

The settling of the boats close in shore beneath some overhanging bushes
occupied some little time, as well as the carrying up of the necessaries
required by those who were to sleep above. By that time Dan's frizzled
legs, wings, and slices of bird had been made ready for consumption, and
he and his mates worked hard to supply the hungry party. At length, all
were satisfied, and they divided to seek their resting-places for the
night, Sir Humphrey electing to keep the captain and the first mate
company in the boats, while Brace, Briscoe, and Lynton were to rest in
the cavern with half of the crew.

As a matter of course, everyone who remained on shore was provided with
weapons, and they all sat together chatting till the fire gradually died
out and the sailors stretched their limbs with a grunt of satisfaction
upon the soft dry sand which formed the floor of the cave.

"What do you say to a quiet smoke on the shelf outside, Lynton?" said
Briscoe.

"I'm as willing