constructed
from the wreck of a vessel. Outside there were the ashes of a fire
still smouldering; within were several bedplaces covered with leaves.
Other signs showed that it had been lately occupied. Whoever the people
were, they had just been taken off by the ship,--probably part of the
crew of some vessel wrecked on the shore. They looked about in the
neighbourhood, and discovered six or seven mounds which had the
appearance of graves.

"Well, my friends, I am very glad that the poor fellows, whoever they
were, got away; and for ourselves, we are not worse off than we should
have been had we not discovered them," observed the philosophical
doctor. "Don't let us be cast down. If one vessel comes, so may
another; and next time we may be more fortunate. And now I advise that
without loss of time we make the best of our way back to the
settlement."

As the shore appeared for some distance tolerably free of rocks, they
agreed to keep along it till compelled by the rising tide to take their
way over higher ground. Still, as they walked along they could not help
every now and then turning round to watch the receding ship. Gradually
her hull disappeared, her courses sank beneath the horizon, the topsails
followed, and then Willy alone could discern a small dark speck, which
soon faded from view. He heaved a sigh. "I should like to have sent
home news, at all events, that I was safe, and perhaps Charles and the
girls may by this time have reached New Zealand. They will be very
sorry when they hear that the ship has been lost, and of course they
will think that I was lost in her." Willy seldom allowed himself to
give way to thoughts like these.

The doctor was very anxious to get back that night; so, although pretty
well knocked up himself, he urged his companions to proceed as fast as
they were able. For several miles they continued along the beach,
occasionally having to climb over high ledges of rocks which jutted out
into the water, or to go round bays or small inlets. Still, after the
experience they had had of the interior of the island, they considered
that this road was less fatiguing than the way they had come. Seeing a
succession of rocks running out into the ocean, they were at length
about to strike across the country, when a small hut was discovered at
the head of a little bay just below them.

"Why, perhaps, after all, there are human beings besides ourselves on
the island," exclaimed Willy.