The Three Admirals | Page 7

to be done, the commander resolved
to remain at anchor another day. Green and the second lieutenant had
been employed during the time in surveying the island, but their
surveys were not complete.
"I say, Gerald, we must get our trip some way or other," said Tom to
Desmond. "You'd be the better for a run ashore, and I'm sure, if you
suggested the idea to the doctor, he will say so, and get Mr Mildmay to
let us have a boat."
Gerald followed Tom's advice.
"Of course, my boy," answered the good-natured doctor; "if you find
anything curious, remember to bring it off for me."
"That I will, sir," said Tom.
The doctor having spoken to the first lieutenant, Tom went up boldly
and asked for the use of the jolly-boat.

"You can have her; but remember you must be on board again in good
time," answered Mr Mildmay.
Tom and his party were quickly ready, carrying some fishing-lines, as
well as some baskets to bring off any wild fruit they might happen to
find. Tom and Gerald were below making their preparations, when
Billy Blueblazes came out of the gun-room.
"Holloa!" he exclaimed; "I've got leave to go with you. I suppose you'll
take some grub?"
"We'll be afther finding that on shore," answered Desmond; "game, or
fish, and fruit. I propose we carry a couple of muskets; we shall be sure
to find something or other."
"Elephants or rhinoceroses," suggested Billy.
"Not quite such big beasts as they are," answered Tom. "We should
find them rather too cumbrous to stow away in our game-bags."
"But we'll take some bread, and rum, and some cold beef--they are not
likely to grow on the island, at all events; or potatoes either, or a pot to
boil them in," remarked Desmond.
The articles they fancied would be required were quickly collected.
"Shure, if we haven't forgotten the powder and shot!" exclaimed
Desmond, as they were committing the things to the charge of Tim
Nolan, who was to accompany them, that he might stow them away in
the boat. Pat Casey, the other Irishman who had been saved from the
savages, with Jerry Bird, formed the crew of the boat. Bird and Nolan
were tried, steady men. Casey, who was accustomed to a savage life,
might be useful in searching for fruits or any animals which might be
found in the island. He was also a first-rate fisherman, having had
plenty of experience during his residence with the Indians.
The party shoved off soon after the second lieutenant and master had
left the ship.

"The only thing I'm sorry for is that Archie is not with us," said Tom.
"However, we are sure to have plenty of fun of some sort or other."
At the further end of the bay was a small piece of sandy beach, towards
which Tom steered the boat. As there was no surf, they ran her up on it,
and stepped out without difficulty. A nearer acquaintance, however,
showed them that the country was not of so tempting a character as
they had at first supposed. There were a few trees close to the beach,
some of which had been broken in two by the storm, and now lay
prostrate on the ground. Even larger trees, a species of mahogany, lay
uprooted in all directions, so that they found it very difficult to make
their way among them. Still, by dint of climbing over the fallen trunks,
and cutting a road through the brushwood, they had made some
progress, when they discovered a circle of rocky hills, in many places
almost precipitous. It seemed almost hopeless to attempt climbing over
them, especially as Desmond acknowledged that he "did not feel very
well up to that sort of work," and they would have had likewise to carry
their muskets, provisions and cooking utensils.
"As we have not much time to lose, I propose that we go back to the
boat, and try and find another landing-place further along the coast,"
said Tom.
His plan was agreed to; and launching the boat, they again took to their
oars. After rounding a rocky point, which formed the eastern side of the
bay, they pulled along for some distance in the hopes of finding another
landing-place, from whence they could make their way into the interior.
As there was no surf, and the sea was perfectly smooth, they kept close
in with the land. In many places high cliffs rose precipitously out of the
water. As they pulled along at the foot of one of these cliffs, Tom
shouted out--
"Holloa! there's a big cavern directly ahead of us; the water seems to
run right up into it, and I should not be surprised if we could get up
some distance in