It was certainly a delightful
change from the contracted life they had been leading upon shipboard.
"Do you think the island is inhabited?" asked Harry.
"I know no more about it than you do, my lad," answered Holdfast.
"Suppose we should meet with a pack of savages armed with spears!"
suggested Harry, with a side look at Clinton, who was walking by him.
"Oh, good gracious! Mr. Holdfast, do you think we will?" asked that
young gentleman, nervously.
"We must do the best we can. I take it we are all brave, and would be
willing to fight."
After a considerable walk, they reached a grove of trees, bearing a
different leaf from any to which they were accustomed. They did not
appear to produce fruit of any kind, but were comely and afforded a
grateful shade. This was the more appreciated, because the sun had
begun to make its heat felt, and a feeling of languor diffused itself
over all.
"I move we squat here a while," said Mr. Stubbs.
"Very well," said the mate. "We have all day before us, and I am
afraid a great many more to come, in which we may explore the island."
All threw themselves on the grass without ceremony.
They returned to the shore about noon, and sitting down on the bluff,
ate heartily of the stores they had brought with them from the ship.
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