d
that night, as the country was unknown, and although it appeared to be
uninhabited, they could not be certain what eventualities might arise.
Cavendish, therefore, deemed it better to wait until morning, and then
send a strong force on shore to reconnoitre and explore.

Meanwhile Roger and Harry went below to their bunks and slumbered,
dreaming of the coming morn. Those of the crew who were off duty slept
on deck or in their hammocks, as the fancy took them; the anchor watch
was set; and thus all hands, waking or sleeping, waited for the morning
which should disclose to them this garden of Paradise.

CHAPTER SIX.

HOW THEY INVESTIGATED A CERTAIN CIPHER AND MET WITH SOME ADVENTURES.

Day had scarcely broken next morning ere Harry and Roger tumbled out of
their bunks, dressed, and went up on deck, so eager were they once more
to be on shore after their many long days at sea.

As they came on deck the sun rose in all his tropic grandeur, and
transfigured the little inlet--with the ships floating on its bosom, its
environment of green palms and tropical verdure, and its golden sands
running down to the water's edge--into a veritable nook of fairyland.

For a distance, so far as they could judge, of about three miles the
ground appeared to be fairly level, rising very gradually, and thickly
covered with tropical foliage. Beyond that there was a range of hills,
apparently about a thousand feet high; and beyond these again rose peak
after peak of lofty mountains, the bare summits of the tallest glowing
like jewels in the brilliant tropical light. Close at hand, on the
southern shore of the inlet, lofty cliffs ran sheer down to the water's
edge, where a ledge of rocks ran out some little distance into the bay,
and these rocks seemed to be literally honey-combed with caves. On the
northern side of the inlet the water shoaled gradually, terminating on a
beach of clean yellow sand, which again stretched for some distance
above water mark, and was then lost among the bush foliage. Tall
coco-nut palms graced the margin of the inlet, and, behind them, trees
bearing oranges, guavas, bananas, lemons, mangoes, and various other
kinds of tropical fruits could be discerned close at hand. It was in
truth a lovely scene that the lads gazed upon that bright morning.

There was a moderately good rise and fall of tide, judging from the
marks on the beach, and the northern shore was undoubtedly the one that
would be chosen by