ven, and as they glided out of the
turmoil into perfectly smooth water the depth shallowed to six fathoms,
and kept at that, no less, wherever they rowed.

"Plenty of good anchorage in shelter," said the mate, slewing the boat
round head to the opening once more, and they rowed out, sounding again
as they went back, after proving that there was a perfectly clear
channel for the yacht to pass in.

Once well outside the mate bade the men lie on their oars, and he
hoisted the boat-hook with a handkerchief on the end for the signal
agreed upon with the captain.

Then the _Silver Star_ began to move, and glided slowly in, picking up
the boat as she passed.

Half-an-hour later the anchors were dropped, and the yacht lay moored in
perfectly still water, through which Jack gazed down at a wonderful
submarine garden, and then at the line of cocoa-nut trees in the sandy
beach to their right. Then his eyes went wandering over the forest, and
up and up to the perfectly formed volcano which shot skyward.

And so on till his eyes grew misty, and the back of his neck ached with
the way in which it had been bent, and he was still gazing through his
glass when the announcement came that the meal was ready.

All too soon, for the boy did not know he was hungry, there had been too
much mental food to devour.

But he found that he could eat and pay attention to the conversation
too, which was upon the, to him, glorious subject of going ashore that
afternoon in the boat for the sake of a little exploring before the
night closed in, and ended what was to Jack a most exciting day.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

THE FIRST RUN ASHORE.

Jack dropped down into the boat with a feeling of pity for the men who
had to stay on board with the mate. Sir John, the doctor, and Captain
Bradleigh were of the party, all well-armed, and, to Jack's excitement
and satisfaction, he found that the crew of the boat all wore cutlasses,
with the peculiar hilt which enables the wearers to fix them
bayonet-fashion to the muzzles of their rifles.

"Just as well to be prepared, Mr Jack," said the captain, smiling, as
he saw the interest the boy took in the men's appearance. "I don't
think we shall find a soul in the island. If there had been, they must
have caught sight of us, and would have shown themselves, even if they
had gone off into the woods when they saw us coming ashore. Well, what
do you say to this for a treat? Think it's as good as Doctor Instow