or, and Soper with the
mate. Our arrangements being made, we lay down to pass the night.

It appeared to me that I had been asleep only a few minutes, when Mr
Griffiths called me up, and Jim and I, taking the muskets, began our
watch. The mate told me that the doctor's and his watches had passed
quietly away, and they had not heard any sounds to indicate that any
natives were near. As we were not obliged to keep close to the fire,
and as there was a bright moon in the sky to enable us to see our way, I
proposed to Jim that we should go through the grove, where, should any
natives approach in the morning, we should discover them sooner on that
side than we should by remaining at the camp. He agreed, and without
difficulty we made our way through the trees, which stood apart, with
little or no undergrowth. The scene which presented itself to us as we
got out of the grove was very beautiful. The silver moon and the
surrounding trees were reflected in the calm waters of the lake, while
the outline of the hills on either side appeared sharp and distinct
against the sky. Finding a clear piece of ground not far from the shore
of the lake, Jim and I walked up and down, keeping a look-out now to one
side, now to the other, as also up the valley.

We had taken several turns, when Jim exclaimed, "Hillo! Look there!"

Gazing up in the direction to which he pointed, I saw distinctly against
the sky the figure of a man. How he was dressed it was impossible to
say; still, he had on clothes of some sort.

"He's not a native savage, at all events," said Jim. "We'll hail him,
and if he's an Englishman he'll answer."

We shouted at the top of our voices, but no reply came, and the figure
disappeared.

"That's strange," said Jim; "I thought he would have come down and had a
talk with us, whoever he is. Can't we try and find him?"

"We mustn't both leave our post," I answered; "but if you stop here I'll
try and get up to where he was standing, and unless he has run away he
can't be far off."

Jim didn't like my going, but I persuaded him to stop, and hurried
across the valley. When I got to the foot of the cliff I could find no
way up it, and, after searching about, had to abandon the attempt.

I returned to where I had left Jim, and we resumed our walk, thinking
that perhaps the figure would again appear.

"Perhaps if he sees us he won't show himself," said Jim. "Wouldn't it
be better to go and stay under the trees?