then examined the branch
carefully. After biting the thick end, he observed: "This is
undoubtedly santulum, of the natural order _Santalaceae_. From it is
produced santalin, with which certain tinctures are made. It is also
used in India for colouring silk and cotton. Yes, this is indeed the
valuable sandal-wood, which the Chinese burn as incense, and employ
largely in the manufacture of fans, and of which in England the cases
for lead pencils are formed. Nub is right; and as it is of great
commercial value, if, as he suggests, we can cut down a quantity, and
find a ship to carry it away, we may make enough to pay our expenses
home and have something in our pockets at the end of the voyage. From
what sort of a tree did you break this off?" inquired the doctor,
turning to Dan.

"A big shrub, or what they would call a good-sized tree in other parts;
but those near it were so much larger, that I suppose they would be
offended if we called it a shrub," answered Dan. "It is not far off,
and we saw a good many like it in that part of the forest."

"We will go and examine it presently," said the doctor, who was an
enthusiastic naturalist.

"We must see about getting food first," observed the mate. "We have
many things to do before we can think of cutting down sandal-wood."

"Yes; we must eat our duck first," said the doctor.

"I tink de duck done now," observed Nub, who had been employed during
the discussion in giving the roast a few more turns. Plucking some
large leaves, he arranged them on the ground before the party, to serve
the double purpose of table-cloth and plates; then, taking the duck up
by the end of the spit, he placed it before the doctor, remarking, "You
carve better than anyone of us, sir."

The doctor scientifically cut up, the bird, a portion of which Nub
presented to Alice and Walter. When the doctor offered some to him and
Dan, they both declared that the stewed mollusc was quite enough for
them. The voyagers' first breakfast on the island would have been more
satisfying had they possessed some bread or biscuit, and, above all,
some tea or coffee; but as they could finish it with a good supply of
fruit and fresh water, they acknowledged that they had ample reason to
be thankful.

Their plans for the future were naturally brought under discussion.
"Don't you think, Mr Shobbrok, that we could manage to enlarge our boat
so that we might reach some civilised place?" asked Walter.

"We mig