ant, who quickly produced his jackknife and
cut off the top of one of the pineapples. "Watch me eat it," and he
began to eat the juicy fruit with great relish. He was not far ahead of
the others, however, for soon they were all busily engaged in the same
way.

At last they had their fill of pineapples and moved on. Banana trees
were discovered, standing in rows as if they had been planted.

"Somebody lives on this island, or used to anyway," remarked Grant.
"Those trees never grew wild like that."

"Of course not," said John. "It doesn't look as though they'd been
cultivated lately though."

"We'll find out before long anyway," said Fred. "If there are people
here all I hope is that they're not cannibals."

"Dey no cannibals heah," said Sam so seriously that every one laughed.

"I hope not, Sam," said Fred, smiling. "I'd hate to be eaten."

They crossed the island which was not more than a half-mile wide at this
point, and that seemed to be the average most of the way. The view was
the same as on the opposite side; not a thing to be seen but the
boundless ocean with not a speck of a sail or a bit of land within
sight. It was a little kingdom all of its own. A quarter of a mile from
shore the low rollers broke ceaselessly on a coral reef, while overhead,
the gulls swept around and around, their plaintive whistle being very
distinct at times.

In silence the boys stood and gazed at the ocean.

"Looks as if we were alone in the world, doesn't it?" said Fred at last.

"It surely does," said George. "I somehow feel as if there ought to be
some sort of a big black king sitting under one of these palm trees with
about twenty slaves standing around fanning him."

"Speaking of black," remarked John. "What has happened to Sam?"

"He went back to the boat," said Fred, but as he spoke Sam suddenly
appeared, running towards the little group at full speed. That he was
greatly excited about something could be plainly seen from his manner.

"What is it, Sam?" demanded Grant as the erstwhile cook came puffing and
blowing up to the spot where the four boys stood. "What's the matter?"

"De boat," gasped Sam. "De boat am gone."

CHAPTER XI

A SERIOUS MISHAP

"The boat gone!" exclaimed Grant in amazement. "What do you mean?"

"What Ah say is dat de boat am gone, dat's all," said Sam.

"How could it get away though?" demanded John excitedly. "Who is there
to take it?"

"Ah don't know, sah," said Sam. "It sho'