home as pleasant as such a home can be--but let us not talk of these
matters just now. You must be hungry. Have you had breakfast?"

"No, we have not--unless, at least, you count a sea biscuit dipped in
salt water a breakfast. After all, that may well be the case, for
hermits are noted for the frugality of their fare."

"I am not a genuine hermit," remarked his host gravely. "Men do indeed
call me the Hermit of Rakata, because I dwell alone here under the
shadow of this particular cone of Krakatoa, but I do not ape the austere
life of the conventional hermit, as you see, either in my domestic
arrangements or food. Come, your breakfast is ready. From my outlook I
saw your boat approaching some hours ago, and knew that it was mine, so
I made ready for your arrival, though I did not guess that Moses was
bringing me a guest instead of a servant!"

So saying, he led the way through a short natural passage to an inner
cave, the entrance to which, like the outer one, was boarded. On opening
a small door, Nigel was again greeted as before with brilliant rays of
sunshine, and, in addition, with a gush of odours that were exceedingly
grateful to a hungry man. A low "Ho! ho!" behind him told that his black
companion was equally gratified.

The inner cave or mess-room, as the host styled it, combined dining-room
and kitchen, for while in one corner stood a deal table with plates,
cups, etc., but no tablecloth, in another stood a small stove, heated by
an oil lamp, from which issued puffing and sputtering sounds, and the
savoury odours above referred to.

Nigel now perceived that although his strange host necessarily spoke a
good deal while welcoming him and offering him the hospitalities of his
abode, he was by no means communicative. On the contrary, it was evident
that he was naturally reserved and reticent, and that although polite
and gentle in the extreme, there was a quiet grave dignity about him
which discouraged familiarity. It must not be supposed, however, that he
was in any degree morosely silent. He was simply quiet and
undemonstrative, said little except when asked questions, and spoke,
alike to Nigel and Moses, in the soft, low, kindly tones with which one
might address very young people.

Going to the stove he took a coffee-pot therefrom and set it on the
table. At the same time, Moses, without requiring to be told, opened the
oven and brought forth fried fish, meat of some kind, and cakes of he
knew not what,