tle way into the interior, if it
should prove necessary.

Max objected to this, saying that we had no need of water, since we
could, without doubt, obtain cocoa-nut milk as long as we should be
obliged to remain upon the island, and that by going into the interior,
out of sight of the ocean, we might lose an opportunity of being
rescued.

To this, Arthur replied, that the exclusive use of cocoa-nut milk was
considered very unwholesome, and was supposed to be the cause of certain
dropsical complaints, common among the natives of many of the Pacific
islands; that beside; it was by no means certain that a supply of it
could be obtained throughout the year. He finally suggested the
possibility that our stay on the island might be longer than we
anticipated, in which case its resources, and the means of subsistence
which it afforded, would be matters of great interest to us. In regard
to the danger which Max seemed chiefly to fear, he said that we should
seldom altogether lose sight of the ocean, but might, on the contrary,
obtain a wider view of it from other parts of the island. I warmly
seconded Arthur's proposal, for I perceived the probable beneficial
effects of effort, or occupation, of almost any kind. Morton also was
decidedly in favour of it; and Johnny, who had recovered strength and
spirits wonderfully within the last few days, was quite enthusiastic for
the excursion. He calculated confidently upon our discovering a creek
of fresh water, full of fishes and lobsters, and cited the history of
the Swiss family Robinson, in support of the reasonableness of these
expectations; declaring that for us part, he could not see why we might
not count upon equal good fortune with them. Browne seemed indifferent
about the matter. The little native, (whose name, upon Arthur's
authority, I shall write "Eiulo," though "Iooloo," comes nearer to the
sound, as he himself pronounced it), shared in Johnny's delight in
prospect of the expedition; indeed, the two had already become the best
friends in the world, notwithstanding the difficulty of communicating
with one another, and seemed to harmonise in every thing. The excursion
was accordingly determined upon, and this being so, there was nothing to
prevent our setting out at once.

Morton proposed that, instead of undertaking to penetrate into the
interior, we should keep along the shore to the northward, as by that
means some idea might be gained of the extent of the isla