he came
again for Carey.

"Hadn't I better wade ashore?" said the boy; "one ought to get used to
this sort of thing."

"After a bit, my lad," said Bostock, shaking his head. "You get used to
growing quite well first. Now then, you stand up close here, and I'll
nip you ashore in no time."

"Well, turn round then; I can't get on your back like that."

"You're not going to get on my back, my lad. I'm going to take you in
my arms and carry you."

"Like a little child," cried Carey, pettishly.

"No, like a hinwalid who won't take a bit of care of his tender bones.
Lor'-a-mussy, how orbsnit youngsters can be! Don't yer want to get
well?"

"All right," said Carey, gruffly. "Don't drop me in the water: I'm
precious heavy."

"Now, is it likely, my lad?" growled the old fellow, taking the lad up
gently and starting for the shore. "I'm not going to let you down, so
don't you--here, steady there--steady!"

Carey burst out into an uncontrollable roar of merriment, for Bostock's
right foot suddenly slipped on the slimy shell of one of the great
pearl-oysters, and he was as near going headlong as possible; but by
making a tremendous effort he saved himself and his burden and hurried
panting to the shore.

"Have I hurt you, my lad?" he cried, excitedly, perspiration starting
out in great drops on his face. "No, not a bit," said Carey, merrily.
"Phew! I thought I'd done it, sir. Now, you see, that comes of being
too cocksure. Thought I knowed better, but I didn't. Now, are you sure
you aren't hurt?"

"Quite, Bob," said Carey, wiping his eyes. "Well, you needn't laugh so
much, sir."

"I can't help it," cried Carey, indulging in another hearty burst.
"There, I'm better now."

The doctor, who had at once walked off towards the great grove of
cocoanuts with a gun on his shoulder, now returned.

"Plenty of birds, Carey, my lad," he said; "cocoanuts by the thousand,
and through yonder, where you can hear it roaring, there is an ample
supply of fresh water. You can see from here where it runs through the
sand. Now, the first thing I want to know is whether we are on an
island, and the second, have we any savage neighbours."

"Let's go up the hills and take a good look round then," suggested
Carey.

"That is the way to find out, of course; but it would be like so much
madness for you to attempt such a climb."

"Would it, sir?"

"Yes, for some time to come. You are getting on so well that I don't
want y