lingered behind in the forecastle a moment, to take a
parting glance at its familiar features, and just as I was about to ascend
to the deck, my eye happened to light on the bread-barge and beef-kid,
which contained the remnants of our last hasty meal. Although I had never
before thought of providing anything in the way of food for our
expedition, as I fully relied upon the fruits of the island to sustain us
wherever we might wander, yet I could not resist the inclination I felt to
provide a luncheon from the relics before me. Accordingly I took a double
handful of those small, broken, flinty bits of biscuit which generally go
by the name of "midshipmen's nuts," and thrust them into the bosom of my
frock; in which same ample receptacle I had previously stowed away several
pounds of tobacco and a few yards of cotton cloth,--articles with which I
intended to purchase the good-will of the natives, as soon as we should
appear among them after the departure of our vessel.

This last addition to my stock caused a considerable protuberance in
front, which I abated in a measure by shaking the bits of bread around my
waist, and distributing the plugs of tobacco among the folds of the
garment.

Hardly had I completed these arrangements when my name was sung out by a
dozen voices, and I sprung upon the deck, where I found all the party in
the boat, and impatient to shove off. I dropped over the side, and seated
myself, with the rest of the watch, in the stern sheets, while the poor
larboarders shipped their oars, and commenced pulling us ashore.

This happened to be the rainy season at the islands, and the heavens had
nearly the whole morning betokened one of those heavy showers which,
during this period, so frequently occur. The large drops fell bubbling
into the water shortly after our leaving the ship, and by the time we had
effected a landing, it poured down in torrents. We fled for shelter under
cover of an immense canoe-house, which stood hard by the beach, and waited
for the first fury of the storm to pass.

It continued, however, without cessation; and the monotonous beating of
the rain overhead began to exert a drowsy influence upon the men, who,
throwing themselves here and there upon the large war-canoes, after
chatting awhile, all fell asleep.

This was the opportunity we desired, and Toby and I availed ourselves of
it at once, by stealing out of the canoe-house, and plunging into the
depths of an extensive grove t