We frequently had to turn
aside to avoid cascades, which came rushing down the mountain's side.
Sometimes we were involved in the thickest gloom, and then again we
emerged into bright sunlight as we gained a higher elevation. The
appearance of the country was picturesque in the extreme, though it
didn't tempt me to make it my residence for the remainder of my life;
and then again, I considered that there must be other parts of a more
gentle character where Robinson Crusoe must have resided. I had been
often looking about, considering how I might accomplish my object, when
Mr McTavish said, "I know what you are thinking about, Cheveley, but
for your own sake I do not intend you to succeed; and even if it were
otherwise, I am bound to see you safe on board the boat. So come along.
You mustn't play me any trick."

"Well, I did think that I should like to stop here and live as Robinson
Crusoe did. Perhaps I might give an account of my adventures when I got
home," I answered.

"The chances are that you would be starved, or break your neck, or die
of some disease, and never get home; so I intend to keep an eye on you,
my laddie," said my friend, in a good-natured tone. "Besides this, my
friends and I propose to induce Captain Longfleet to set you at liberty
when we reach the Columbia River, and you can either wait at the fort
till you can hear from your father, making yourself useful there as a
clerk, or you can turn fur-hunter, and lead a life which I believe would
be to your taste."

"I'm very much obliged to you, sir," I said, "and accept your offer, and
will not attempt to run away."

After a tiring excursion we got back to the boats just as they were
about to shove off. We after this touched at Massafuero, an island
mountain rising abruptly from the sea, surrounded by a narrow slip of
beach. Here we obtained a vast quantity of fish and a few goats. The
abundance of food contributed much to tranquillise the minds of the
crew, and also, I suspect, to prevent them from carrying their plans
into execution. One day when we were becalmed, several of the crew who
could swim jumped overboard to take a bathe, and as I was a good swimmer
I did the same, and got farther than the rest from the ship. While I
was sporting about, I heard the dreadful cry of "Shark, shark!" The
rest of the men quickly making for the side, clambered on board. I was
swimming towards the ship, when I saw a dark fin rising between her and