lief that we had already made our
escape from the island.

Camo and the other natives had during the day made a wide circuit
without meeting with anyone, and they were more than ever convinced that
our enemies were not likely to search for us in that neighbourhood.
Uncle Paul was much inclined to send back to ascertain the fate of our
father; but Camo declared that the risk would be very great, as in all
probability a watch would have been set on the house, and whoever went
would be traced back to our hiding-place. So the idea was accordingly
abandoned.

We sat round our campfire in the evening, and discussed all sorts of
plans. Arthur proposed that we should move further to the south; Camo
recommended that we should remain where we were. The district was
thinly populated, and we might range for miles through the woods without
meeting with anyone.

"But how are we to procure provisions?" asked Arthur.

"Our guns, as you have proved, will furnish us with an abundance of
game," I answered. "The woods will afford us fruit, and we can do very
well without bread or any luxuries. I shall always be ready to act as
sportsman for the camp."

"And I should like to accompany you," said Marian. "My eyes are very
sharp; and I might be able to see the birds and animals, which you could
then shoot."

From the report given to us by our faithful Indians, we had no longer
much fear of being discovered. We felt sure, also, that should we be
seen by any of the natives, they would not betray us to the hated
Spaniards. We agreed that we would go out the next morning, Arthur
taking one gun and I the other, while Marian was to accompany me. Uncle
Paul was too eager in watching for a vessel, willingly to leave the
coast. Tim was to keep watch at the camp; and the natives were to act
the part of scouts, so that we might have timely notice should the
Spaniards approach the wood--in which case we were to hurry back to our
place of concealment, where we had no fear of being discovered.

The night passed away much as the former ones had done. On the
following morning, Arthur, Marian, and I set out after breakfast, with
the expectation of amply replenishing our larder; but as our supply of
ammunition was small, we determined not to fire unless we could make
sure of our game. I had not gone far, when I caught sight of a large
parrot with beautiful plumage. I fired, and brought it to the ground.
Though badly wounded and unable to