any danger. Lastly, I recommended that the oars should be removed
from the boat, to prevent the mutineers making their escape to the ship.

My appearance and discourse attracted general attention. I particularly
noticed that Mr Evelyn started as soon as he caught sight of me, and
appeared to observe me with singular carefulness; but that, no doubt,
arose from my unexpected address, and the strange way in which I had
presented myself before him.

The Captain approving of my proposal, the whole party, after taking away
the boat's oars, moved off rapidly in the direction of the house. I
again concealed myself in the grass, and waited the return of the
mutineers. They did not remain away long. I could hear them
approaching, for they laughed and shouted as they went along, loud
enough to be heard at a considerable distance. When they began to
descend the rocks, they passed so close to me, that I could hear every
word that was spoken.

"Well, flesh is grass, as the parson says," said Jack, "they must have
died sooner or later, if we hadn't parted company with so little
ceremony. But, hallo! My eyes and limbs! Where's John Gough? Where's
the Captain? Where's all on 'em?"

It is impossible to express the astonishment of the men on reaching the
spot where they had so lately left their prisoners, and discovering that
not a trace of them was to be seen. At first they imagined that they
had escaped in the boat, but as soon as they saw that the boat was safe,
they gave up that idea. Then they fancied John Gough had taken the
prisoners to stroll a little distance inland, and they began to shout as
loud as their lungs would permit them. Receiving no response, they
uttered many strange ejaculations, which I could not then understand,
but which I have since learned were profane oaths; and seemed at a loss
what to do, whether to wander about the island in search of them, or
return to their ship.

Only one chanced to be for the former, and the others overruled him, not
thinking it was worth their while to take so much trouble as to go
rambling about in a strange place. They seemed bent on taking to the
boat, when one of them suggested they might get into a scrape if they
returned without their companion. They finally resolved on sitting down
and waiting his return.

Presently, one complained he was very sleepy, as he had been too busy
mutineering to turn into his hammock the previous night, and the others
acknowledg