ished, we
knew that if natives existed anywhere on the island, we should find
traces of them on one or the other of the bays. But we had already
learned that there were none on the shore of South-west Bay; and now,
carefully examining the other bay, we could see no trace of canoes on
its beach, or huts along its margin, neither could we detect the
slightest sign of a smoke wreath in any direction. We therefore finally
came to the conclusion that, excepting ourselves, the island was without
inhabitants, and one source of anxiety was thereupon removed from our
minds.

Standing upon the edge of the crater and looking westward, we obtained a
perfect view of the whole of the western half of the island, including
both bays; and, looking down upon the land below us from a great height,
as we now did, we were able to form a very accurate idea of its origin,
which we at once judged to be volcanic. The entire island, in fact, was
evidently the summit of a volcano projecting above the surface of the
ocean, the two bays above referred to having evidently been at one time
two craters or vents for the internal fires, since both were encircled
by reefs which had all the appearance of having been at one time part of
the lip of the respective craters.

As we stood up there, studying the conformation and general appearance
of the island, we fell to discussing our future prospects, and soon
arrived at the conclusion that, situated just where the island happened
to be, far away from all the regular ship tracks, its very existence
apparently unknown--since it was not marked upon the chart--it might be
months, or even years, before we should be rescued by being taken off by
a ship; and that therefore our wisest course would be, first, to save
everything possible from the wreck, and then carefully break her up,
using her timber to build some sort of a craft to convey us back to
civilisation. This would at all events keep us busy and our minds
occupied, giving us an object in life--something to strive for, think
about, and achieve--and thus preserve us all from falling into a low and
despondent frame of mind; and if in the end a ship should happen to
appear and take us off, why, so much the better, while if nothing of the
kind occurred we should in due time be able to effect our own escape.
Cunningham was particularly enthusiastic over the scheme; yacht
designing, it appeared, was a hobby of his, and he promised us that if
we would only