ger than a rat, but there were a great many
of those eerie-looking land-crabs, that seemed as if almost humanly
intelligent as they scampered about over the sand or through the
undergrowth, busy about goodness knows what. The beautiful cocoa-nut
palm was plentiful, so much so that I wondered why there were no
settlers to collect "copra," or dried cocoa-nut, for oil. My West Indian
experience came in handy now, for I was able to climb a lofty tree in
native fashion, and cut down a grand bunch of green nuts, which form one
of the most refreshing and nutritious of foods, as well as a cool and
delicious drink. We had no line with us, so we took off our belts,
which, securely joined together, answered my purpose very well. With
them I made a loop round the tree and myself; then as I climbed I pushed
the loop up with me, so that whenever I wanted a rest, I had only to
lean back in it, keeping my knees against the trunk, and I was almost as
comfortable as if on the ground.

After getting the nuts, we made a fire and roasted some of our eggs,
which, with a biscuit or two, made a delightful meal. Then we fell
asleep under a shady tree, upon some soft moss; nor did we wake again
until nearly time to go on board. A most enjoyable swim terminated our
day's outing, and we returned to the beach abreast of the ship very
pleased with the excursion.

We had no adventures, found no hidden treasure or ferocious animals, but
none the less we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. While we sat waiting for
the boat to come and fetch us off, we saw a couple of good-sized turtle
come ashore quite close to us. We kept perfectly still until we were
sure of being able to intercept them. As soon as they had got far enough
away from their native element, we rushed upon them, and captured them
both, so that when the boat arrived we were not empty-handed. We had
also a "jumper," or blouse, full of eggs, and a couple of immense
bunches of cocoa-nuts. When we got on board we felt quite happy, and,
for the first time since leaving America, we had a little singing. Shall
I be laughed at when I confess that our musical efforts were confined
to Sankey's hymns? Maybe, but I do not care. Cheap and clap-trap as the
music may be, it tasted "real good," as Abner said, and I am quite sure
that that Sunday night was the best that any of us had spent for a very
long time.

A long, sound sleep was terminated at dawn, when we weighed and stood
out through a narrow passage