from the various objects.

Next, where was it most likely a man would hide anything of value,
beneath the sea or upon dry land? Land certainly. Would it be among the
rocks or where the ground was softer? Certainly the latter, I should
say.

Then I set to thinking of the different places on the island where the
nature of the soil would allow of digging, and could call to mind but
few, and these mostly on the higher parts of the island. I determined
when I was able to get about that I would inspect all these places, and
see if I could find objects to correspond with the bearings and
distances given in the sketch. Having thus promised myself to pursue the
search further at a more appropriate time, I dismissed the subject from
my mind for the time being.

After several days of enforced idleness I was at length able once more
to go out, but at first felt very weak in the legs for want of exercise.

[Illustration: Decorative scroll]

FOOTNOTE:

4: Speaking of island doctors reminds me that Dr. Moyle has
recently retired from practice in the Isles of Scilly, where he has been
the sole medical practitioner for over forty years. He is spoken of with
love and respect by all the islanders, and no wonder, for he has been a
wonderful old man. His patients were scattered over the five inhabited
islands, and never once did he fail to go when summoned. On many a wild
winter night has he been called up to cross the rough sea to attend,
perhaps, on some poor fisherman's child. Dressed in an oilskin coat,
sou'wester and big boots, he was always ready to go, and scarcely looked
like a medical man. The people have shown their regard for him in a
handsome manner. Without the aid of bazaars or other such institutions,
they have raised funds enough to present him with a life-long annuity of
L52.

[Illustration: Decorative chapter heading]

CHAPTER XVI.

YARNS: THE CABBAGES WHICH HUNG THEIR HEADS--THE RAFT OF
SPRUCE--VOYAGE OF THE "DEWDROP"--A LUCKY FAMILY--A DEEP, DEEP
DRAUGHT--THE MAIRE'S CAT.

Alec behaved splendidly while I was unable to help myself. He fished,
and by hook or by crook--or rather, by hook and by net--procured
whatever I cared for, beside which he killed the surviving pig, which
had now grown into an immense fellow, so that we had a good supply of
meat, although somewhat fat; but of this I ate little, preferring a more
vegetable diet, although at times I took a little meat, but not often.
Wh