of the treacherous reefs in
the vicinity of the island.

In course of time, St. Mena's Island became the haunt of wreckers and
smugglers. The chapel, in spite of its massive construction, fell a
victim to the ravages of wind and weather, but still served as a
convenient shelter for the lawless Cornishmen who profited by the
misfortunes of honest seamen. Immune from interference, by reason of
the superstitious awe in which the island was held by the country-folk,
the smugglers and wreckers thrived exceedingly until late in the
eighteenth century, when stern measures were taken to suppress their
misdeeds. From that time St. Mena's Island was deserted, except for
the casual visits of tourists and summer visitors from the neighbouring
towns of Padstow and Newquay, and countless numbers of sea-birds that
take up their abode in crannies in the almost inaccessible cliffs.

Ross Trefusis was right in taking the blame of their misfortunes upon
himself. He knew better, but, neglecting to take ordinary precautions,
he had allowed the boat to be left high and dry by the falling tide.
Upon returning to the cove the lads had found the heavy craft lying on
its bilge in the stiff bluish clay, with a ridge of jagged rocks
cutting her off from the sea.

"Perhaps," suggested Vernon, "some other boat will put off to the
island, and we can get them to put us ashore."

"Hardly likely," was the reply. "Anyway, we'll keep a look-out. Which
would you prefer to do--explore the Smugglers' Cave and Dead Man's
Cave, or climb up to the ruins?"

"The ruins," decided young Haye eagerly. "I like fooling about old
ruins, and I've already seen the caves. Besides, we can see if there
are any boats about. It's almost like being shipwrecked on a desert
island."

"Hard lines if we were," commented Ross. "Suppose we take an inventory
of our possessions? Let the see: one pocket-knife, a silver watch that
has refused duty, a notebook and pencil, and five shillings and three
halfpence. What have you to add to the common stock?"

"A knife, a pocket compass, my watch--which does go; it's now
five-and-twenty to four--and sixteen shillings and eightpence in paper
money and hard coin."

"Not a morsel of grub between the pair of us, then," declared Ross.
"Outlook beastly unpromising. Faced with starvation unless we make up
our minds to knock over some gulls. They are horribly fishy to eat, I
believe, and we've nothing to make a fire."

"It m