mistaken, and that there could not
be anybody, but still I could not solve the mystery. At last I became
frightened, and as the sun was now setting, I determined to get back to
the cabin. I did so, and went down much faster than I had gone up, for
as it grew dark I became the more alarmed. The only thing that
reassured me was the softness and plaintiveness of the voice--not like
Jackson's, but as of some one who would not think of injuring me.

Although I was, generally speaking, quiet and content with my isolated
position, yet it was only when I was employed or amused with my
favourites. At times, I could not find anything to do, and was overcome
by weariness. I would then throw away my books, and remain for hours
thinking upon the probability of my ever again seeing a fellow-creature;
and a fit of melancholy would come over me, which would last many days.
I was in one of these moods, when it occurred to me, that although I had
seen the other side of the island from the summit, I had not gone down
to the beach to explore it; and I resolved that I would do so, making a
trip of three or four days. When my knives had become blunt, Jackson
had told me how to sharpen them by rubbing the blades upon a hard flat
piece of rock wetted with water. This I had found to answer very well,
and I now determined I would try and sharpen one of the old axes in the
same way, so as to make it serviceable, for I was very much afraid of
breaking my knives in cutting down the brushwood, and I knew how much
more rapidly it could be done with an axe. I picked out a large stone,
suitable for the purpose, and with a kid of water at hand, I set-to to
sharpen the axe. It was a long job, but in a day or two I had succeeded
admirably, and the axe was in good order. I then thought how I could
leave my birds for so many days, as they would require food. At last I
considered that if I caught two large fish and cut them up, they would
be sufficient for their sustenance. I did so, and, provided with a
packet of dried birds for food, tied up in a duck frock, with my Natural
History book for amusement, a pannikin to get water in, my axe on my
shoulder, and my knives by my side--I first kissed all the birds, and
told them to remain quiet and good till I came back--I set off on a
bright clear morning on my tour of examination.

In a couple of hours I had gained the summit of the island, and prepared
for my descent, by sitting down and eating my d