close-packed bunches
of tassel-like, straw-coloured blossoms, and loaded with fruit in
various stages of growth.

Johnny cast a wistful glance at the compact clusters of nuts, nestling
beneath the graceful tufts of long leaves that crowned each straight and
tapering trunk; but he had so recently learned from experience, the
hopelessness of undertaking to climb a cocoa-nut tree, that he was not
at present disposed to renew the attempt. Max, however, who greatly
valued himself upon his agility, and professed to be able to do any
thing that could be done, in the way of climbing, manifested an
intention to hazard his reputation by making the doubtful experiment.
After looking carefully around, he selected for the attempt, a young
tree near the shore, growing at a considerable inclination from the
perpendicular; and clasping it firmly, he slowly commenced climbing, or
rather creeping, along the slanting trunk, while Johnny watched the
operation from below, with an interest as intense as if the fate of
empires depended upon the result.

Max, who evidently considered his character at stake, and who climbed
for "glory," rather than for cocoa-nuts, proceeded with caution and
perseverance. Once he partly lost his hold, and swung round to the
under side of the trunk, but by a resolute and vigorous effort he
promptly recovered his position, and finally succeeded in establishing
himself quite comfortably among the enormous leaves that drooped from
the top of the tree. Here he seemed disposed to rest for a while, after
his arduous and triumphant exertions, and he sat, looking complacently
down upon us from his elevated position, without making any attempt to
secure the fruit which hung within his reach in abundant clusters.

"Hurrah!" cried Johnny, capering about and clapping his hands with glee,
as soon as this much desired consummation was attained, "Now, Max, pitch
down the nuts!"

Having teased Johnny, and enjoyed the impatience caused by the
tantalising deliberation of his own movements, Max detached two entire
clusters of nuts from the tree, which furnished us an abundant supply.

Selecting a pleasant spot beside the beach, we sat down to discuss the
cocoa-nuts at our leisure, which occupied us some little time. Upon
looking round, after we had finished, we discovered that our convoy had
disappeared, and Johnny, whose imagination was continually haunted by
visionary savages and cannibals, manifested considerable uneas