Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/174

168 caught by a dark mass entangled in the sea-weed: he drew it up by means of a hook. It was the gallant flag, that had once of the now perished Indiaman, He laid it carefully out on the sands to dry, and went to impart his plan to Michael. The knot of palm-trees was on the only part of the island whose height commanded a view of the sea; yet there it was impossible for them to fix their residence—fresh water, fruits, and shelter, belonging to the other part of the island—and yet, from not being on the spot, a vessel might pass and repass unobserved; thus risking their little chance of escape.

Now it happened that the most conspicuous of the palms was a young and slender tree: this Frank proposed to climb, and affix to its height the flag, which would be as striking a signal as any they could raise. Even Michael shut his eyes, as the daring boy ascended, with the aid of a sharp hook and a knife, with which he cut notches, on which he rested first a hand, and then a foot, till at length. he was safely lodged amid the spreading branches at the top. He then let down a rope, with a pebble at the end, which had been put round his middle;