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124 sight or hearing outside of our own party, Luke. Just listen; there is nothing to be heard but the booming of the surf and the cries of the tropical birds."

"You don't reckon that a native who was an enemy would come on to you blowing a fish-horn, do you?" answered the Yankee sailor, disdainfully. "No, sirree; he would come as sly as a cat figurin' on catchin' a mouse. It's their way, so I've heard, although I allow as I never yet met an enemy out in these parts, and I spent several years here."

The sun had come out strong and hot, and the whole party were glad enough to avail themselves of the shade that the tall bushes and stately palms afforded. Soon the strip of beach came to an end. Beyond was a series of rocks, one apparently toppled upon another, and all thickly overgrown with trailing vines. The boatswain, who was in front, came to a halt.

"This channel ends here," he said. "I don't know about cuttin' through yonder reefs!" and he pointed to the rising rocks.

"Oh, let us go ahead," cried Larry. "See, the rocks seem to lead to the top of the island. If we once get up there, we'll be able to look all around and down on the other side. Come on."