“At the same time I’d rather be on board the yacht until we know they have left the island,” Nelse said, with a feeble attempt at a smile.
“So had I; but since it is necessary to wait, we might just as well look on the bright side of the affair. How long before you are going to dish up some of those rabbits, Andy?”
“I’se ready ter make a start now, an’ dat spade is gwine ter come in mighty handy. Ef you’ll dig a hole, I’ll mosey ’roun’ fur wood.”
It was dark, not so much as a star appearing in the inky blackness of the clouds, and the little party could safely move to and fro at will, provided they were careful not to make a noise.
All hands assisted the cook, whose fireplace was so far beneath the surface that the flames could easily be screened from view by bushes, and never had the boys sat down to a more thoroughly enjoyable meal than this one of roasted rabbits—more properly speaking, agoutis—and yams.
CHAPTER XVIII.
TREASURE HUNTING.
In this world, when one desire has been satisfied another springs up, as the boys learned after eating a hearty supper, for as soon as their hunger was appeased both felt the necessity of slumber.
“It seems as if I hadn’t been to sleep for a week,” Nelse said, with a yawn, as he stretched himself out at full length where the bushes would screen him from the wind.
“There is nothing to prevent your getting all you want now,” the mate replied. “So scoop in a full supply.”