lt so much better that it
was resolved to attempt an ascent to the plateau without further delay.

We took the longer but easier route; and, after a toilsome climb that
occupied nearly half an hour, reached our goal. The women folk were too
utterly exhausted to do other than stretch themselves out on the grass
and feast their eyes upon the glories of the scene; but, feeling that we
might all now with safety venture upon another light meal, Julius and I
set off in search of what we might find, and soon returned with three
fine coconuts. These I stripped of their outer husk with my knife; and
a few minutes later we were all feasting upon the sweet, delicate fruit,
after having shared the milk among us. Finally, through a careful and
judicious system of feeding, by about four o'clock in the afternoon we
had contrived to allay our hunger and thirst and to recover enough
strength to enable us to move about and accomplish short distances
without undue fatigue.

My next concern was to find some sort of refuge in which to pass the
coming night. Of course, in the last resort it would be quite possible
for us to return to the boat and sleep on board her as usual; but that
idea had no charms for me. The under-deck quarters were very confined
and altogether inadequate for the accommodation of the four women;
moreover, I imagined that they would be willing to put up with a certain
amount of discomfort if by doing so they could secure a greater measure
of privacy than the boat afforded. I therefore set off upon an
exploring expedition to see what I could find.

I was not going to be too particular at the outset. The weather was
fine and the temperature high enough to allow us all to sleep with
comfort in the open air; but there was the heavy dew of the tropical
night to be considered, which I feared might be productive of fever and
ague to people in our debilitated condition. My immediate ambition
therefore extended no further than to find in a suitable spot some tree,
of thick enough foliage and with widespreading branches near enough the
ground to afford good protection from the dew, beneath which beds of dry
fern, or something of that sort, might be arranged for the night. On
the morrow I would see if I could not contrive something more effective
in the shape of a hut; while ultimately, if circumstances seemed to
demand it, I might seriously consider the possibility of erecting some
simple form of house. As to the situ