Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/144

 colony was again complete, and peace reigned at French Den — peace that was to be untroubled for the future. The separation of two or three days had borne its fruit. More than once already Donagan, without saying anything to his comrades, had been led to think how stupid had been his obstinacy ; and Wilcox, Cross, and Webb, had had similar thoughts. After what Briant had done, Donagan' s better nature had triumphed, and the change was to be lasting. But French Den was in serious danger. It was exposed to the attack of seven well-armed scoundrels; obviously, Walston's best course was to leave the island as soon as he could; but if he came to suspect the existence of a little colony well provided with all that he wanted, he would not refrain from an attack in which he had almost every chance of success. The boys would be obliged to be most careful not to go far from Zealand River or the lake so long as he was in the island.

Donagan was asked if he had seen any trace of the sailors on his journey back. "No," said he. "But when we went back we did not go the same way as at first." "But we are sure that Walston went off to the eastward," said Gordon.

"Agreed," answered Donagan, "but he went along the shore, while we came through Beech Forest. If you look at the map you will see there is a very bold curve just above Deception Bay, and there is a good stretch of country there where the men could take refuge without going too far away from their boat