"Hunted perhaps!" exclaimed Tartlet.
"They seem very quiet then," replied Godfrey; "I fancy they have only come in search of shelter against the morning dew."
"Ah!" murmured Tartlet in so piteous a tone that Godfrey could hardly help laughing, "these things could not happen at your uncle's place in Montgomery Street!"
"Day will soon break," said Godfrey, after a pause. "In an hour's time, if the savages have not appeared, we will leave Will Tree and reconnoitre towards the north of the island. You are able to carry a gun, Tartlet?"
"Carry? Yes!"
"And to fire it in a stated direction?"
"I do not know! I have never tried such a thing, and you may be sure, Godfrey, that my bullet will not go—"
"Who knows if the report alone might not frighten the savages?"
An hour later, it was light enough to see beyond the sequoias.