Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/237

Rh "Then let us do that. It won't do us any good to go back to where we left the others, now the ship isn't in sight."

But the captain demurred, and finally it was agreed to return to camp and start out for the other side of the island directly after dinner.

"Turtle soup for all hands!" announced Billy Dill, proudly. "Best ever made, too."

"It certainly smells good," answered Dave.

The turtle soup proved both palatable and nourishing, and, eaten with crackers, made a good meal.

"We'll take some crackers and fish along," said the captain, to the boys, when they were preparing to leave the camp again. "For there is no telling how soon we'll get back. It may take us longer than we think to reach the other side of this island."

"I've got a knapsack," said one of the castaway sailors. "You can take that along, filled," and so it was arranged. Dave carried his gun and the captain had a pistol.

"If there is any game, we'll have a try for it," said Dave. "Even a few plump birds would make fine eating."

"Yes, or a rabbit or hare," added Roger.

The party walked along the shore as far as they could go and then, coming to what appeared to be an old trail, took to that.