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.
“What do you make of this path?” said Dave. “I had an idea the island was uninhabited.”
“It is supposed to be,” answered Captain Sanders. “But there is no reason why somebody shouldn’t live here.”
Presently they came to a fine spring of water. Near by lay an old rusty cup, and a little further on a broken bucket.
“Somebody has been here and that recently,” was Dave’s comment. “I hope we are on the trail of Merwell and Jasniff.”