hat may be useful," said Drew.

"That's good, gentlemen. But first of all, I think we ought to do some
fishing."

"Good," said Panton. "Why not net one of the big pools?"

"First reason, because we have no drag-net, sir. Second, because there
are things in those pools that would tear any net to pieces and take the
men who used it as bait."

"Yes, there are crocodiles, I know."

"Yes, sir, and a kind of sea-serpent thing in plenty."

"What!" cried Panton, with a laugh.

"Oh, I don't mean sea captains' sea-serpents, sir; but fellows of five,
six, or seven feet long. There are plenty of them out in these seas,
and some are poisonous, too. No, I don't think we'll try the pools, for
did we catch any fish I'm afraid they'd be sickly and unwholesome. I
propose getting the lines and going to the shore, rowing out to one of
those patches of rock just at the opening of the reef; and trying our
luck there."

"I'm ready," said Oliver, "and we might perhaps get hold of a turtle.
We ought to slip a noose round one of the flippers if we see one again."

"That's right, sir, we will. A good turtle would be worth having now."

"When do you propose going?" asked Panton.

"To-day, if you are all willing," said the mate.

"I'm willing enough if the others are," cried Oliver, "for it will be a
treat to examine the strange tropical fish."

"What about bait?" asked Drew.

"Oh, a bit or two of salt meat will do to begin with," said the mate.
"I daresay we can catch one or two with that. Then we shall be all
right. There is no better bait than a bit of fresh fish to tempt
others."

"Plenty of shell fish, too, in the lagoon," suggested Oliver.

"Of course, I had forgotten them. An hour's time? Will that do?"

"Capitally," they cried.

"Then I'll go and see about the tackle and some bait for ourselves."

In less than the suggested time the little party, with four of the
sailors to help row and carry the provisions out, and any fish they
might catch, back to the ship, were on their way to the shore.

It was a couple of weeks since Oliver's return, and the eagerness to
ascend the mountain was as strong with him as ever; but the attempt had
been put off for the present, and in the interval plenty of collecting
had been going on, and the mate had enough to do to make things what he
called snug.

They passed a couple of pools on the way, and it was evident that they
were rapidly drying up, for the shrinking of the w