“I think I can try,” replied the major.
“And I could pynt ’em on the stones,” said Billy eagerly.
“Then the fishing difficulty is over,” said the captain. “Fish are sure to swarm off those rocks.”
“I say, Billy,” said Small, giving one ear a rub, “aren’t there a couple o’ fishing-lines in the locker of the gig?”
Billy gave one of his short legs a slap, turned sharply and ran down to the boat, where he lifted a triangular lid in the bows, and gave a cheer as he plunged in his hand.
“Three on ’em,” he cried, “and good uns.”
“Then we sha’n’t starve yet, major. There are fish and water.”
“And cocoa-nuts in plenty,” cried Mark.
“If we can get at them,” said the major.
“Why, Billy, couldn’t you climb one o’ them trees?” cried Small.