ll done that we, whom He has so wonderfully preserved, should try even
in this imperfect fashion to show our gratitude? He will accept even
such poor service, therefore, in my judgment, let it be done."

"Let it be done," cried all, and, as if impatient to begin, the sailors
rushed knee-deep into the sea, seizing and drawing high on the beach the
floating spars and planks ready for their new service.

But before such work could be begun it was needful to explore the new
land, to search for any traces of inhabitants, and above all to
discover, if possible, food and water to refresh themselves.

There was one high peak, towering above the many hills which crowned the
island, and towards this a party of sailors made their way, keeping
closely together for fear that the natives of the land might suddenly
attack them from rock or thicket.

The steep, rugged, broken hill was scaled at last, and from its summit
the adventurers looked down on their place of refuge. They were on an
island, which seemed to be some miles in length; it was thickly covered
with trees, and in one part a broad, open plain, fresh and fertile,
stretched before them. There were many streams, dancing merrily down the
broken cliffs, or shaded by tall tree-ferns and waving grasses. But
nowhere was there any sign of human habitation; no palm-roofed huts, no
canoes, no figures crossing the open spaces between the trees. And not
only man, but even animals seemed wanting here.

The place was a complete solitude; the sea-birds had not strayed farther
than the cliffs where their nests were made, and save one little brown
bird, not unlike a sparrow, which chirped among the boughs, the sailors
neither heard nor saw any signs of life.

Fruit there was in abundance on the trees, and with this spoil they
hastened back to their comrades, who had meanwhile been exploring the
sides of the inlet.

A shout from the party of these explorers told the descending sailors
that some discovery had been made, and as they came nearer they saw that
a fire had been kindled on the beach, though with what object it was
hard to guess.

They were not long left in doubt, for shouts of "Turtle, turtle! come
and see the turtle we have cooked for dinner!" caused them to hasten to
the fire, on which was now seething an immense turtle, great numbers of
which were to be seen crawling along the beach.

The fruit was a welcome addition to the feast, and the sailors were soon
forgetting