For about a week Captain Thorne and a few men remained on the wreck, but the others always slept in the tents ashore.
Bright and early next morning all hands were astir. The fires were replenished, and kettles were soon 'singing' away in merry tune; and as the 'Alert' could no longer be set on fire the Chinamen were allowed to cook their own food, and right well they did it, too. They never made the slightest disturbance, and apparently took the whole affair as a big relief from the monotony of life afloat, nor did any of them express the least dislike to detention on the lonely island.
The labour of salvage continued until everything worth removal had been sent ashore, and only the hull and lower masts of the 'Alert' remained above water. Then Captain Thorne took up his residence among his men, and a survey of the island was arranged.
'I shall take a few men with me and work across country,' he said. 'You might take the long-boat, Sennit, and by keeping along the shore endeavour to join me on the opposite side, and thus discover if there are natives about. I have no accurate knowledge of the place.'
'Ay, ay, sir,' the mate replied. 'I do not think you should travel unarmed.'
'Of course not,' the old man returned; 'there may be cannibals watching us now. We must strive to support each other if attacked.'
Having selected their men both leaders set off on their separate adventures.
Mr. Statten, Readyman, Jack Clewlin, and two of the crew remained behind to look after the camp and the Chinamen.
After dinner, and with the consent of the second mate, Readyman and his young friend set out on an expedition in search of fresh water. They took an opposite course to that of the skipper, and kept a good lookout for natives. Both carried rifles and ammunition. It was not long before Jack saw something like a path, apparently made by natives, trending off through the timber and scrub toward the centre of the island. He immediately warned his companion.
'There are people here, after all,' he said. 'Let us tell Mr. Statten.'