We pulled our boat high on the beach and cut brush and covered it, to hide it and protect it from the hot sun. We searched all over the south half of the island—it was three or four miles long. We saw no signs of our two missing friends.
Near noon, we came to the eastern end of the island, where were two hills. And there we were surprised to see a schooner in a small bay. A tent was among the trees close to the beach.
"We'll have to see what's here," said Grant Norris. And he walked up and lifted the flap of the tent. "No one home, it seems," he added.
We had a good look at the schooner. Susanna showed on her bows.
"I won't be satisfied till we've had a look at the Susannians," said Norris. "We'll take a look round for them."
"Here's a new trail, going up this way," said Robert, moving toward the north.
We'd gone above half a mile, a good deal of it in forest not so thick in underbrush, when we heard voices. Then we came upon four rough-looking, bearded men, digging. They saw us, and one of them came forward.
"Good morning," said Norris. "We're looking for a couple of boys that are on this island—wonder if you've seen anything of them."
"Boys," said the man, "I ain't ever seen no boys on this island 'cept them two you got with ye."
"Well," said Norris, "maybe you've seen some black cannibals with a white cannibal among them?"