Then hand in hand down the hill they went towards the camp singing—singing quite as gaily as the bright-winged birds that hopped from bough to bough in those beautiful sunny woods.
They lingered here and there in glades and openings to gaze and wonder at the marvellous display of life everywhere spread out before them in jungle and forest. The air was filled with the hum of myriads of insects, the ground and ferns and bushes of every sort were instinct with life and joy, and happiness too, apparently. The beetles even were a sight to see, in their gorgeous metallic tints of blue and green and crimson, and the butterflies that floated from flower to flower, on shrub or tree, looked like splendidly-painted fans, while a rich and luscious perfume filled the air, that in some of the more sunny glades was almost overpowering.
Quambo and Cassia-bud were both back before our heroes. They came smiling to meet them.
"Well, boys," said Fred, "I see you're back, and I know you haven't come empty-handed."
"Oh no, massa!" said little Kashie, seizing Fred by the hand. "Run quick and see, massa."
He led Fred to the boat. Why the stern-sheets were laden with luscious fruit, even the names of many of which neither Frank nor Fred could tell. Nor had these faithful blacks forgotten to bring flowers. But this was not all, for Kashie pointed triumphantly to a dozen "sonsy" fish he had caught, and Quambo tapped the boat's breaker significantly—it was filled to the brim with pure, delicious water.
Nor had Magilvray been idle all the forenoon. He had not only a clear fire burning and ready to cook the dinner, but he had, by cutting down green boughs, succeeded in making a cool and delightful tent, that should be impervious to the heaviest shower that could fall.
Fred, as he looked around him at all these preparations for health and comfort, could not help laughing with very joy.
"Why, Frank," he cried, "and boys all, fortune has taken a turn for the better, and led us to a land that is literally flowing with milk and honey."
"Cocoanut milk and honey, yes," said Frank, laughing in his turn. "There are certainly busy bees about."