y men were again driven to
plot the destruction of their masters. Adams, Christian, and Young were
free from the stain of wanton cruelty. Young in particular was kind to
the natives, and a favourite both with men and women.

CHAPTER TEN.

DANGERS, JOYS, TRIALS, AND MULTIPLICATION.

"I'm going to the cliffs to-day, Williams," said Young one morning.
"Will you come?"

Williams was busy at the forge under the pleasant shade of the great
banyan-tree. Resting his hammer on the anvil, he looked up.

"No," he answered. "I can't go till I've finished this spade. It's the
last bit of iron we have left that'll serve for such a purpose."

"That's no reason why you should not let it lie till the afternoon or
to-morrow."

"True, but I've got another reason for pushing through with it. Isaac
Martin says the want of a spade keeps him idle, and you know it's a pity
to encourage idleness in a lazy fellow."

"You are right. What is Martin about just now?"

"Working at the big water-tank. It suits him, a heavy quiet sort of job
with the pick, requiring no energy or thought,--only a sleepy sort o'
perseverance, of which long-legged Isaac has plenty."

"Come, now," returned Young, with a laugh. "I see you are getting
jealous of Martin's superior intellect. But where are Quintal and
McCoy?"

"Diggin' in their gardens, I suppose. Leastwise, I heerd Mr Christian
say to Mainmast he'd seen 'em go off in that direction. Mr Christian
himself has gone to his old outlook aloft on the mountains. If he don't
see a sail at last it won't be for want o' keepin' a bright look-out."

The armourer smiled grimly as he thrust the edge of the half-formed
spade into the fire, and began to blow his bellows.

"You've got them to work again," said Young, referring to the bellows
which had belonged to the _Bounty_.

"Ay, patched 'em up after a fashion, though there's a good deal o'
windage somewheres. If them rats git hold of 'em again, the
blacksmith's occupation'll be gone. Here comes Bill Brown; p'r'aps _he_
won't object to go bird-nestin' with 'ee."

The armourer drew the glowing metal from the fire as he spoke, and sent
the bright sparks flying up into the leaves of the banyan-tree while the
botanist approached.

"I'll go, with all my heart," said Brown, on being invited by Young to
accompany him. "We'd better take Nehow with us. He is the best
cliff-man among the natives."

"That's just what I thought of doing," said