the hen-coop and fowls, most of which were alive, and carried them up to
where he had built a hut for himself. Shortly afterwards, seeing three
canoes full of wild-looking natives coming near the shore, he collected
all his fowls and carried them away right up to the spot where he had
built his present hut. He there lay concealed, as he was afraid of
falling into the hands of the natives after the way in which he had seen
his shipmates murdered at "Strong's" Island, as he thought the savages
would treat him in the same way. This idea seemed to have upset his
mind. He was nearly starved, for he would not kill any of his fowls
because they were the only living beings that seemed to care for him.

At last he ventured out from his hiding-place, and, creeping cautiously
on, saw the savages sailing away in their canoes. They had nearly
stripped the trees of cocoanuts, and found his hut and pulled it to
pieces. Why they had gone so suddenly he could not tell, but on looking
towards the burning mountain it was spurting out fire and smoke, and he
concluded that they had gone away from being frightened at it. His mind
was now more at rest. He employed himself in building his hut and the
hen-roosts, where his fowls might be safe from hawks or such-like birds,
or any animals which might be in the island. He had seen wild cats at
some of those he had touched at, and knew that if they found out his
fowl they would soon put an end to them. He had plenty to do to find
food for his poultry. He got shell-fish and berries, roots and
cocoanuts, and watched what they seemed to like best. They soon became
so tame that they would come and sit on his shoulders and knees and run
about between his feet. What seemed to have upset him was another visit
from the savages some months afterwards, when he was nearly caught.
Though they pursued him they didn't discover his hen-roost or hut, but
after that he was always fancying they would come and kill him. When he
saw our boat he thought we must be some savages, and yet he said he
couldn't help coming down to have a look at us, though it was so long
since he had heard a word of English spoken he didn't understand what
was said. Fortunately, Miles Soper had passed close to the place where
he was hiding. At length, when he heard his own name shouted in a voice
which he recollected, he came out, and at once knew his old messmate.
He could not at first understand that I had grown into a big