. The captain--though, I suppose, Dr Cockle
and Mr Griffiths told him what I had heard--seemed to take no interest
in the matter, nor did he show me any more attention than before.

We had left Juan Fernandez more than a month, when a cry came from the
masthead of "Land ho!" It proved to be Chatham Island, one of the
Galapagos, a group of volcanic islands almost under the line, some
hundred miles away from the coast of Peru. We brought up in a fine bay,
but the shore as far as we could see looked black and barren. There
were, however, thick, low bushes of a peculiar kind, covering the ground
at some distance from the beach. As Dr Cockle was going on shore with
one of the mates and a party of the men, he to botanise and they to
obtain fresh provisions, I went up to the captain and asked leave to
accompany him.

"I understand you have made up your mind not to run away," he observed,
in his usual sarcastic tone.

"Yes, sir," I answered; "I'm content to remain on board your ship,
though I know that I would until lately have done anything to get back
to England."

"Take care you don't change your mind," he said, in the same tone as
before. "If the doctor will be answerable for you, you can go."

I told the doctor what the captain said.

"I know that I can trust you. Peter, and I'll tell the captain that
I'll undertake to bring you back," he answered.

I was glad to find that Jim was to form one of the party. Horner also
got leave to go. Though he and I were on good terms, I can't say I
looked upon him as a friend, but I was well pleased that he should have
a run on shore, as I hoped that it would put him in good humour, for of
late he had become one of the most constant grumblers on board. I even
now recollect the pleasure I felt on thus once more treading the firm
ground, as, except for the short time I had landed on Juan Fernandez, I
hadn't set foot on shore since I left Shetland. The rest of the seamen
seemed greatly to enjoy their freedom.

As soon as we had secured the boat we all set off together, running over
the rough black ground, startling a number of strange-looking creatures
like lizards, some of which slid off into the water, others hid
themselves in holes and crevices of the rocks.

Jim and I, however, went back to join the doctor, as we knew that he
would want us to carry anything he might chance to pick up. The mate,
after the men had had a good run, called them to him, and we proceeded