ed
out for a place which would afford us shelter during the night from the
raging storm. Near the beach was a grove of palm-trees, but the wind,
howling amid their stems, bent and twisted them about so furiously that
we had reason to dread, should we lie down under them, that some, being
uprooted, might fall and crush us. Keeping outside the trees, we made
our way towards the high ground, one side of which we found consisted of
a coral cliff, and we had not searched long before we discovered a cave
large enough to afford shelter to all our party. The floor was of sand,
and having no fear of venomous creatures or savage beasts, the men threw
themselves down to obtain the rest they all so much required. We had
brought from the boat the biscuits and the small stock of water we
possessed, but none of them were inclined to eat, though they drank up
more than half the quantity of the precious liquid remaining in the
breaker. Medley and I, who were, as were the rest, wet to the skin,
walked up and down under shelter of the rock trying to dry our clothes.

"If we had but a fire it would be a great comfort," I observed.

Pepper, one of our Kroomen, hearing what I said, exclaimed, "Massa, me
got light, nebber fear!" Groping about, he soon found two pieces of dry
wood, and fashioning them with his knife, he began to rub one against
the other in a way which at length produced a bright spark. I had a
handful of leaves ready, and we had quickly a capital fire blazing up
just inside the cave. How grateful we felt for its genial warmth!

What if, while we were congratulating ourselves on being safe on shore,
any misfortune should happen to those in whom we were so deeply
interested? I felt that I would thankfully be on board the "Lady Alice"
to share the fate of my friends, or to aid, as far as human strength
could go, in averting the danger to which they might be exposed. I
knew, however, that my wishes were of no avail. I knelt down with
Medley, and prayed with all earnestness that they might be protected; we
then stretched ourselves on the sand near our men.

"Jack, it did not occur to me before that this island may be inhabited;
if so, that our fire may attract the natives," said Medley, just as I
was dropping off to sleep. "It ought to be put out, or we must keep
watch. They might murder us before we could attempt to defend
ourselves."

I agreed with him, but confessed that I could no longer keep my eyes
open.