for this would only cause
delay. I took my ham out from the stern sheets, but as I did so, the
horrible odour which saluted my nostrils made me certain that it would
be impossible to eat it, and, except the dry biscuits, I had no other
food. I managed with the aid of some water to masticate a fair
quantity, but it might be a long time even now before I could gain the
shore, and even then I might be disappointed in obtaining food. It then
occurred to me that perhaps the sea-fowl made their nests on the rock,
and that I might get some of their eggs, which would give me an ample
supply of provisions for some time to come.

As I had once upon a time lived upon raw rats, I was not very
particular; and even should I not obtain any eggs, I might find some
young birds, which, though perhaps fishy in taste, would enable me to
support existence. I therefore rowed towards the rock which I saw was
of considerable extent, although one part only on which the beacon was
placed rose a few feet above the surface.

The clearness of the atmosphere had deceived me as to the distance. I
rowed on for some time before I reached it. Possibly also, there was a
current against me, although that such was the case did not occur to me
at the time.

The sea-fowl shrieked loudly and wildly as I approached, as if to warn
me off from their domain. Some sat on the rock, others darted off and
circled round and round the boat, but I was not to be deterred from
landing by their threatening cries and movements. At last I got close
to the rock, and found an indentation or little bay, into which I ran my
boat.

Though several birds appeared, I found that they were merely resting on
the rock, and that the water was too shallow to allow me to get close
enough to step on shore.

In many places the seaweed grew so thickly, and was so slimy, that I was
afraid to venture on it, lest it offering a treacherous foothold I
should slip back into the water. At last I saw a point some distance
from the beacon where I thought I could land, and secure the boat's
painter round a rough part of the coral rock. I succeeded in stepping
on to it and making the rope fast; and confident that she would be
secure, made my way along the rock with the assistance of the boat-hook.
I found neither eggs nor young birds; indeed, on examining the rock, I
knew that it must be covered occasionally, if not at every tide, by the
water. Still I thought that I should find them a