e walking consequently easy,
I soon reached the projecting point that marked the junction of the
creek with the river, and bent my steps along the narrow beach toward
the estuary. For some distance in this direction the only sound to
break the silence of the night was the loud, continuous, indescribable
_chirr_ of the countless myriads of insects that haunted the recesses of
the jungle; but at length, on rounding a bend in the river, I caught
sight of the barque, still at anchor, and at the same moment became
conscious of a new sound that, as I progressed toward the mouth of the
river, gradually resolved itself into the tones of human voices uplifted
in an attempt at melody. The thought that struck me, as this sound
first met my ear, was that the men had decided to go to sea forthwith,
and were now heaving short the cable--an impression that at once
determined me to push on and watch the departure of the sweet little
craft. But as I worked my way cautiously along toward the open beach,
keeping well within the shadow of the trees, in order that my movements
might not attract attention--for the moon, somewhat past the full, now
rode high enough in the cloudless sky to render the most minute objects
distinctly visible--I bethought me that the mutineers could not be
getting their anchor, or I should by this time hear the sharp clank of
the windlass pawls mingling with their song; moreover, I was now near
enough to distinguish that the singing was not the wailing, monotonous
chant and rousing chorus of a "shanty," but a confused medley of sound,
as though all hands were singing at once, and every man a different
tune; and I at once came to the conclusion that the fellows had secured
some liquor and were indulging in a carouse. Should this be indeed the
case--and I fervently hoped that it was--they would probably not desist
until every man had become helplessly intoxicated, as they had doubtless
secured Forbes so effectually that there would be no possibility of his
recovering his freedom until some one chose to release him; while they
would scarcely deign to give a thought to us on shore, with the
knowledge that the ship was distant at least half a mile from the
nearest point of the beach, and that both gigs were securely swinging at
the davits.

As this conviction dawned upon me a feeling of renewed hope and fierce
exultation leapt up in my heart, and my brain at once became busy with
plans for the recovery of the ship.