led him to rest; but now his anxiety was so great that, despite all
efforts, his eyes would persist in staying open very wide, and he spent
the remainder of the siesta trying in vain to decide what was best to
do.

Not until late in the afternoon did the boys awaken, and then Neal said
as he sprang to his feet:

"It won't do for us all to sleep again at the same time. If the boats
came in sight since we've been lying here it is very probable father
has missed us, for more than likely they would try for a better place to
land further up or down the coast."

"You needn't worry about that, lad. I've kept honest watch, and not so
much as the wing of a sea gull has appeared above the horizon."

Teddy, remembering what Jake had said about hunting, began to clean the
guns, for both had been thoroughly wetted during the landing, and Neal
walked slowly along as he looked out over the water intently.

Before going very far he saw the engineer's footprints on the sand, and
shouted excitedly:

"Some one has been here! Perhaps father arrived before we did."

"There's no such good luck," Jake replied. "While you fellows were
snoozing I went a long bit in that direction."

"Then it's only a waste of time for me to go over the same ground," and
Neal retraced his steps, adding when he gained Teddy's side, "I'll do my
share of that work."

"You spoke too late, for I have finished. Now let's see what can be done
in the way of hunting; a roasted bird will be a big improvement over
salt meat, and I count on finding plenty of game."

"All right, provided Jake is willing to stay here alone."

"What is to prevent me from joining the party?"

"Someone must remain in case the boats heave in sight," Neal replied in
a positive tone, and the engineer said carelessly:

"I didn't think of that; but it'll be all right, I'll keep my eyes
peeled," and he added to himself, "I wish he wasn't so certain about the
others coming, an' then the disappointment wouldn't be quite so great."

Jake cautioned the boys against going very far from the beach because of
the danger of getting lost in the forest, and as they disappeared among
the underbrush he threw himself upon the ground, unable longer to fight
against the despair which was rapidly overpowering him.

He understood perfectly well how great would be the danger in attempting
to make their way through the wooded portion of the country at this
season of the year, when fever germs lurked in e