three men of the party could go over to the
wreck and remain there until everything of value were got out of her, he
undertaking to visit the islet at least once every day to ascertain that
all was going well in that direction. This proposition, however, met
with no favour from the parties chiefly interested; and so it was
ultimately resolved that, notwithstanding the inconvenience, the entire
party should settle down for the time being on the western side of the
island.

On the following morning this resolution was put into effect, the little
band taking with them nothing but just such arms as were deemed
absolutely essential to their safety, and the tinware, knives and forks,
and other small table conveniences with which Ned's forethought had
supplied them.

On this occasion Gaunt, who of course acted as guide, struck off in a
new direction; as, having made a sketch-plan of the island when he was
on the summit of the mountain, he believed it possible to reach the
wreck by a much shorter route than the one he had followed. Keeping
somewhat more to the right, or in a more northerly direction than on the
first occasion, he brought his companions out upon the banks of the
stream at a distance of about two miles below the lake, where the
channel was somewhat wider than in any other portion of its course, and
where the current was particularly gentle. Here it became necessary to
construct a raft of some description for the transport of the party
across the stream; but, as the water was perfectly smooth, anything
which would bear their weight and hold together during the passage was
considered sufficient, and with the aid of their axes such an affair was
knocked together in about three hours. The transit was then safely
accomplished; and, climbing the steep slope of the ravine through which
the stream flowed, they found upon reaching its summit that they had
arrived at a spot overlooking the lake, and from which they were enabled
to obtain an excellent view both of it and the islet which occupied its
centre. The ladies were especially delighted at the prospect of finding
a home in so lovely a spot; whilst Henderson cordially agreed with Gaunt
that it would be difficult to find a safer place and one more suitable
in every respect for head-quarters.

Pushing on, they arrived about three o'clock in the afternoon at the
base of the mountain; and here, in a pretty little meadow which lay
between two of its projecting spur