At noon, after having had some food, without, however, stopping for an instant, they reached the first line of rocks which bordered the beach. The smoke, still visible, was rising about a quarter of a mile ahead. They had only to keep straight on to reach their goal.
They hastened their steps, but took precautions so as to surprise, and not be surprised.
Two minutes afterwards the smoke disappeared, as if the fire had been suddenly extinguished.
But Godfrey had noted with exactness the spot whence it arose. It was at the point of a strangely formed rock, a sort of truncated pyramid, easily recognizable. Showing this to his companion, he kept straight on.
The quarter of a mile was soon traversed, then the last line was climbed, and Godfrey and Carefinotu gained the beach about fifty paces from the rock.
They ran up to it. Nobody! But this time half-smouldering embers and half-burnt wood proved clearly that the fire had been alight on the spot.
"There has been some one here!" exclaimed Godfrey. "Some one not a moment ago! We must find out who!"
He shouted. No response! Carefinotu gave a terrible yell. No one appeared!
Behold them then hunting amongst the neighbouring rocks, searching a cavern, a grotto, which might serve as a refuge for a shipwrecked man, an aboriginal, a savage—