e. And first of all I've got to explore this island.
Come, Tom, my boy; cheer up, old fellow. You've pretended to admire
Robinson Crusoe; act up to your profession. And first of all, my boy,
you've got to explore Juan Fernandez."

The sound of his own voice had the effect of encouraging and
inspiriting him, while the purpose which he thus assigned to himself
was sufficient to awaken his prostrated energies. There was something
in the plan which roused all his curiosity, and turned his thoughts and
feelings into a totally new direction. No sooner, then, had this
thought occurred to him, than he at once set out to put it into
execution.

First of all he took one parting look at the scene around him. The sun
had now passed its meridian, and it seemed to be one o'clock or after.
The tide was high. The boat, which had at first floated, was now
nearly full of water. Tom threw a melancholy glance at this fresh
proof of the utter futility of all his labor, and then examined the
fastenings, so that it might not drift away during his absence. Then
he searched among the drift-wood until he found a stout stick to assist
him in climbing, and to serve as a companion in his walk, after which
he started.

The sun was bright, but over the sky some clouds were gathering, and
the opposite shores seemed to have grown darker than they were a few
hours ago, having assumed a hue like olive green. The wind had also
died away, and the water was as smooth as glass.

XIII.

Where's Solomon?--An anxious Search.--The Beach.--The cavernous
Cliffs.--Up the Precipice.--Along the Shore.--Back for Boats.

The loss of Solomon had filled the boys with anxiety, and even Captain
Corbet shared in the common feeling. He had preferred to set out, as
he said, with a coil of rope; but the sight of this seemed to make
Solomon's fate appear darker, and looked as though he might have fallen
over a precipice, or into a deep pool of water. They all knew that a
serious accident was not at all improbable. They had seen the lofty
and rugged cliffs that lined the bay shore, and knew that the rising
waters, as they dashed over them, might form the grave of a man far
younger and more active than the aged Solomon. He was weak and
rheumatic; he was also timid and easily confused. If the water had
overtaken him anywhere, he might easily fall a prey. In his efforts to
escape, he would soon become so terrified that his limbs would be
paralyzed.