own the coast,
and the dhows seeing us will hope to get to Zanzibar without
interruption. The plan seems to be a good one, and I trust that we
shall be able to strike a more effectual blow at the slave-trade than
the commodore has hitherto been able to give it."

Terence, who had been wishing for this sort of work, gladly accepted
Murray's offer. The corvette stood on till she came off the island,
when the pinnace and barge, well fitted for the duties they were at once
to engage in, were got out. The _Busy Bee_ landed a couple of water
tanks, for not a drop of the necessary fluid was to be found on the
island; while she and the corvette sent three months' provisions on
shore, with tents, arms, and ammunition.

With three hearty cheers from the crews, responded to by their
respective ships, the boats shoved off and pulled away for the island,
to become their headquarters for the next three months. Its appearance
was not over-attractive, for it was low and sandy, scarcely more than
two miles in circumference, with a small forest of Casuarina trees on
the highest part, bordered by a belt of thin grass.

One of the first boats sent on shore contained a large seine, and Jos
Green was directed to haul it as soon as possible for the purpose of
supplying the ship's company with fresh fish. All hands were well
pleased to hear the order, and the men destined for that object quickly
transmogrified themselves into fishermen with blue jerseys, tarry
trousers, and red caps, looking more like lawless pirates than
well-conducted men-of-war's men. Two of the smaller boats under the
command of the master, who was accompanied by Desmond and Archie, then
pulled in. On the north side of the island was a shelving beach, where
the water was perfectly smooth and not a rock or stone to be found. It
was just such a beach as to satisfy all the requirements of men-of-war's
men, capable at the same time of supplying sand for holy-stoning the
decks, and to afford admirable ground for hauling the seine.

The net was quickly run out, forming a wide semicircle, and surrounding,
no doubt, vast numbers of fish, as they could be seen of various forms
and sizes sporting in the clear water. The boats being hauled up, the
work of hauling the net began. Just at that juncture several officers
who had before landed came across the island to see the fun, and
immediately all hands tailed on to the hauling-lines. As the net drew
nearer and nearer to