Some of the men were clever trappers, and others were good fishermen, so there was no want of food, and water was abundant.
On the sea-beach a fire was kindled, and day and night this was kept up, sentries being always posted here, armed.
The rampart was soon completed round the terrace, and a strong one it was.
A whole week had gone, and as yet nothing had been seen of the Gloaming Star, and the hopes of our heroes began to get very low indeed.
A whole week, then another and another. Their hearts sank with each recurring day. They got tired even of the beauty of the island, and tired and sick of gazing always out to the sea, which looked to them now so void and merciless. They envied even the sea-birds, that seemed so happy and joyous, and whom nothing could imprison.
“It would be a good idea,” said Douglas one day, “to build a boat and sail away somewhere.”
“Yes, but whither?”
“Yes, whither?” repeated Douglas sadly.
One day, while roaming together on the other side of the island, suddenly there sprang up in front of Leonard and Douglas, as if from the very earth, a naked savage. He stood but for a moment, then waving a club aloft with a wild shout of fear and wonder, he fled far away into the woods.
They returned to the cave, and reported what they had seen, and all agreed that though danger might accrue from the visit of natives to the island, still it might end in their being set free.