l of rock. A nearer approach to it, revealed a
narrow creek that led into the island. Sam steered into it, skillfully
avoiding the rocks on either side; and when the Mystery's bow was run
upon the sand, Tom jumped ashore and looked about him.

"Well, Muley, what do you think of me for a sailor?" asked Sam, looking
at his companion with a smile of triumph. "Aint that something worth
braggin' on? I wouldn't be afraid to take your father's biggest vessel
through there."

"But how would you get her out again?" asked Tom. "You couldn't beat up
against the wind, for the channel isn't wide enough."

"Of course not; I couldn't take the Mystery out that way, much less a
big ship. Did you see them high rocks at the lower end of the shoals?
Well, when you want to go home, I shall take you right past them."

"O, now, I won't go," drawled Tom, looking at Sam in great amazement. "I
did notice them, and I know the waves must be ten or fifteen feet high
there."

"That's nothing. The channel runs close alongside them rocks, an' is
wide an' deep enough to float a frigate. If you want to go home in your
boat, that's your only chance."

While this conversation was going on, Tom had made a hurried examination
of the governor's harboring-place, which was far ahead of the cave in
the village, and must have been expressly intended to serve as a refuge
for some person, who, like Sam, thought it necessary to keep aloof from
his fellow-men. The creek was simply an arm of the bay, which did not
extend more than twenty yards into the land, where it formed a cove
large enough to shelter half a dozen sail-boats. It was surrounded by
precipitous cliffs, which hung threateningly over the water and whose
sides were so thickly covered with bushes and trees that the rays of the
sun could not penetrate through them. The entrance was effectually
concealed by rocks which had fallen from the bluffs above, and a fleet
might have coasted along the shore without discovering it. On one side
of the cove was a little grass plat, which sloped gently down to the
water's edge, and here Sam had erected a rude cabin, which was furnished
with a bed, fire-place, cooking utensils, and other articles of comfort
and convenience. A skiff was drawn up on the bank in front of the cabin,
a sail and a pair of oars rested against the eaves, and in a frying-pan,
which stood on a bench beside the door, were several fish which Sam had
caught for his supper.

"Well, Muley, wha