"I don't mind wanting rum or coffee," he said, "but better 'ang me at once, sir, than cut off my bit o' baccy. So here's good luck to 'Ope Island, says I."
And with that brief speech Magilvray took a large drink from his cocoa-nut, and stuck it in the sand again, with a look of satisfaction that was most refreshing to behold.
Long after the sun went down that night there was bright moonlight.
Only half a moon was shining it is true, but the air being so clear everything was almost as bright as day in England.
"What do you say to a row on the lake to-night?" said Fred.
"Yes, happy thought!" cried Frank, "a row and a song."
The sheet of smooth water betwixt the reef and the shore was called the lake by our Crusoes.
It was indeed a lovely night; a bank of coral-white clouds lay low on the horizon, otherwise the dark blue sky-depths were studded over with silvery stars of singular brilliancy, while the moon shed a broad band of clearest light across the rippling sea.
Shorewards the hills, and glens, and groves of cocoa palms were softened and spiritualized by the moon's mellow rays.
To-night Magilvray stayed at home with little Kashie, while Quambo and Frank rowed the boat, Fred took the tiller, and Hurricane Bob stood in the bows.