and Murray, who both claimed the ownership, had presented to Jack.

Mr Large, in an evil hour, yielded to the midshipmen's representations,
and consented to accompany them. They, without difficulty, obtained
leave from the first lieutenant, promising to be back before dark with
the canoe loaded with birds. Mr Large, who considered himself a
first-rate shot, was the happy possessor of a fowling-piece, which he
boasted was superior to the best owned by any officer in Her Majesty's
Service. The midshipmen contented themselves with two ship's muskets,
which, as they carried a large amount of shot, would, they conceived,
kill no end of birds every time they were fired.

Having dined, they had no need of provisions; so, taking plenty of
powder and shot, with their three weapons, they shoved off, Mr Large
sitting in the after-end, while the two midshipmen paddled well forward,
in order in some degree to counteract his weight, which, as it was,
brought the canoe considerably down by the stern, and lifted the bows
almost out of the water. Tom Kettle, who was unaware of their
intention, did not see them till they had got some distance from the
ship. "They had better take care," he observed, "or sea come over de
stern and swamp de canoe."

The water, however, was smooth, and neither Mr Large nor his companions
had any apprehensions on the subject. Away they went, intending to land
on the nearest point. As they approached the point, they were not
disappointed in their expectations of finding it crowded with sea-birds,
many of large size, which Tom averred were the geese he had seen; while
there were various species of ducks, which appeared to be living in
harmony with the other inhabitants.

The wind had got up a little, and as they drew near they saw that there
was some surf on the shore; but Mr Large declared that it was nothing
to hurt the canoe, and that they might pass easily through it without
shipping a thimbleful. He hesitated, however, as he drew nearer.
"Don't quite like the look of it," he observed. "If we'd had the large
boat we might have got on shore easy enough, but if a sea was to catch
us we might be rolled over before we could tell where we were."

"Arrah, but it won't do to turn back," cried Desmond; "those geese now
will be after roasting us instead of our roasting them, not to speak of
the laugh that there'd be on board when we got back without a feather to
show, except the white feather which they