ummet as
high as it would go, and then to swarm up again and rest. Higher and
higher he got, till at length he was able to catch hold of a branch by
which he held himself up, when, highly delighted, he quickly broke off
all the fruit on the tree, and threw them down to Archie. His success
encouraged the bow-man in Green's boat, who, being a light, active lad,
succeeded even better than he had done, and a supply of nuts for all
hands was thus obtained. By this time Green's party with the breakers
had returned, and the hungry crews eagerly commenced breakfast.

"We must look out for more substantial fare than this though," observed
Tom; "if we can't get any animals on shore, we shall, at all events, be
able to find shell-fish in the water, and we can easily light a fire and
cook them."

Till, however, the men had satisfied their hunger with the cocoanuts, no
one felt disposed to hunt for shell-fish, or for animals on shore. It
was, indeed, doubtful whether it would be prudent to allow any of the
men to go inland till they had ascertained what inhabitants were in the
neighbourhood, or whether they were likely to be friendly. From the
character of the natives on the surrounding islands Green very much
doubted whether this would be the case; and he wished, if possible, to
avoid bloodshed, even although his party might prove victorious. He had
also heard that they used poisoned arrows, even a slight wound from
which might prove fatal. As the gale still continued blowing outside,
it was absolutely necessary that more substantial food should be found.
As soon, therefore, as they had somewhat taken the edge off their
appetites, he allowed a small party under Tom to proceed along the beach
in search of shell-fish, while the boats pulled slowly along close in to
the shore, so as to be able to take them off immediately should any
natives appear. No officer could have acted more wisely and cautiously.
Tom and his party collected a good supply of shell-fish, his last find
being a bed of oysters. Two of the men, having stripped off their
clothes, waded up to their necks and dived for them. They were thus
employed when Green caught sight of a dark triangular fin, which rose
for an instant to the surface and disappeared. He shouted at the top of
his voice to the men, telling them of their danger, and ordering his own
crew to pull in, and to splash the water as much as possible with their
oars. The men sprang towards the sho