o this point; yet we thought it likely.

During these delightful fishing and boating excursions we caught a good
many eels, which we found to be very good to eat. We also found turtles
among the coral rocks, and made excellent soup in our iron kettle.
Moreover, we discovered many shrimps and prawns, so that we had no lack
of variety in our food; and, indeed, we never passed a week without
making some new and interesting discovery of some sort or other, either
on the land or in the sea.

CHAPTER XVII.

A monster wave and its consequences--The boat lost and found--Peterkin's
terrible accident--Supplies of food for a voyage in the boat--We visit
Penguin Island, and are amazed beyond measure--Account of the penguins.

One day, not long after our little boat was finished, we were sitting on
the rocks at Spouting Cliff, and talking of an excursion which we
intended to make to Penguin Island the next day.

"You see," said Peterkin, "it might be all very well for a stupid fellow
like me to remain here and leave the penguins alone, but it would be
quite inconsistent with your characters as philosophers to remain any
longer in ignorance of the habits and customs of these birds; so the
sooner we go the better."

"Very true," said I; "there is nothing I desire so much as to have a
closer inspection of them."

"And I think," said Jack, "that you had better remain at home, Peterkin,
to take care of the cat; for I'm sure the hogs will be at it in your
absence, out of revenge for your killing their great-grandmother so
recklessly."

"Stay at home?" cried Peterkin; "my dear fellow, you would certainly lose
your way, or get upset, if I were not there to take care of you."

"Ah, true," said Jack, gravely, "that did not occur to me; no doubt you
must go. Our boat does require a good deal of ballast; and all that you
say, Peterkin, carries so much weight with it, that we won't need stones
if you go."

Now, while my companions were talking, a notable event occurred, which,
as it is not generally known, I shall be particular in recording here.

While we were talking, as I have said, we noticed a dark line, like a low
cloud or fog-bank, on the seaward horizon. The day was a fine one,
though cloudy, and a gentle breeze was blowing, but the sea was not
rougher, or the breaker on the reef higher, than usual. At first we
thought that this looked like a thunder-cloud; and, as we had had a good
deal of broken weather of late