ed to show it to our friends, we allowed it to remain entire. We
had just finished our own dinner on one of the fish--which being
well-shaped and of sombre hue, we believed to be wholesome--when we
heard a shout, and saw Harry and Tom running towards us, followed by
Tamaku.

I pointed to the big fish, which hung, in the shade, from the bough of a
tree.

"That's grand!" exclaimed Tom. "Still, I don't know but what the other
side of the island beats this; for we have found bread-fruit trees, and
plantains, and yams, and all sorts of other roots and fruits. And Mudge
has sent us over to tell you to bring the jolly-boat round, if you have
made her sea-worthy, as he thinks we should have a better chance of
getting on board a vessel on that side than this. There is a capital
harbour, in which she can lie at anchor; and a hill near it from whence
we can obtain a fine look-out over the ocean for ever so many miles.
Tamaku, Harry, and I are to remain here to keep a look-out on this side
till you have arrived on the other; and then you can come back and
relieve us if you think fit."

I told him that I was ready to do whatever Mudge wished, but that the
difficulty would be to launch the jolly-boat, which Dick and I had in
vain attempted to do.

"Five hands may accomplish what two could not," he answered. "Perhaps,
if we can get some rollers under her keel, we may be able to do it; and
Tamaku is as strong as an elephant."

Dick, feeling confidence in the sea-worthiness of the jolly-boat, was
ready to take her round, either by himself, or with one of us to help
him. I said that I was willing to go, and we settled to start the next
morning. Our friends were highly pleased at finding another boat in
which they could go off fishing. I reminded them that they must make
some oars first, as we should have to take ours; and as they only had
their clasp-knives, it would be a pretty tough job.

"Patience, as Dick says, will accomplish wonders; and Tamaku cuts away
with his knife in a fashion I never saw any one else do," answered Tom.

"I cut out the oars," said Tamaku. Indeed, he was ready to aid in any
way proposed, and was well-pleased to find that he should be able to go
fishing in the punt.

The rest of the day was spent in making some rollers, and also in
preparing some food for our voyage; for although the distance was not
great, we might encounter a calm or contrary wind, and be delayed longer
than we expected. Un