of wind before night,
and if the major liked, they would make up a little party and go.

"We can get some handsome birds for specimens if we get none for food,"
said the major, "and perhaps we may get hold of a snake, or a big
lizard, to make into a stew."

"Stewed lizard! Ugh!" ejaculated Mark.

"And why not, young fellow?" cried the major. "Once upon a time, as the
geologists tell us, the lizard and the fowl were very much alike, only
they divided, and while one went on growing more like a bird, the other
lost his wings and the feathers in his tail, and ran more upon the
ground. Now, I'll be bound to say, sir, that if I shot a lizard, an
iguana, or something of that kind, and made it into a curry, you would
not be able to tell the difference. Come, captain."

"Oh, I'm not coming," said the captain. "I shall stay aboard and look
after my two wives--Mark's mother and the ship. You youngsters can go
and enjoy yourselves. You'll go with them, Gregory."

"No, no, I'll stop with the ship," said the first-mate.

"Then it will be to keep me company," said the captain, "for I shall not
stir."

"Oh, well then, sir, I will take a run," said Mr Gregory.

"You'll go too, Morgan?"

"I should enjoy it much, sir," said the second-mate.

"All right, then. I'll have the gig lowered and manned. The sooner you
are off the better."

"We shall want a man or two to carry the bags," said Mr Gregory. "I'll
have Small."

"And I'll have Widgeon," said Mr Morgan, "in case we find ducks."

"I'll have Bruff," said Mark to himself.

"Look here," said the captain; "this island seems to be uninhabited, and
it may be a foolish precaution, but I should take it. The crew will
have pistols, and I should advise you all to take your revolvers."

"Hot enough carrying our guns," said the first-mate.

"Never mind, sir," said the major. "I remember once in the
neighbourhood of Malacca, how a party of us officers landed to get a
shot at the snipe, and we were surprised by a party of copper-coloured
scoundrels. By George, sir, there we were with nothing better than
snipe-shot, sir, to defend ourselves against as murderous-looking a set
of haythens as ever stepped."

"What did you do, Major O'Halloran?" said Mark.

"Bolted, sir--I mean we retreated through the bog. Murder! that was a
retreat. Take your weapons, gentlemen, and young Strong here shall
carry my revolver."

"No," said the captain, "carry your own, major. I'm g