We thought that perhaps by erecting a higher post we might obtain a better view; but when Mr Thudicumb went up, he calculated that the trees were far too high near the shore to enable us to do this. We all in succession went up to have a look at the blue sea; but it was then agreed that the post might possibly be seen by our enemies, and we therefore at once lowered it, but kept it ready to set up again in case of need. We had been so much occupied in preparing our fort, that we had thought little of eating or drinking.
“What we do for water?” exclaimed the Frau, bringing a large shell into our midst. “This is the last we have got!”
“I must blame myself for my forgetfulness,” exclaimed Mr Sedgwick. “We ought to have lost no time in searching for water. If one of you will come with a spade, we will go out at once to look for it, while the rest continue at the work in the fort.”
I volunteered to accompany my uncle. “But we may require a stronger digger than you are, Walter,” he said, and fixed on Roger Trew.
Roger, throwing his spade over his shoulder in navvy fashion, answered, “I am ready, sir.”
“Well, you can come too then,” said my uncle to me. “You may bring your gun, though, in case of necessity. We must remember not to fire if it can be helped.”
As only one iron spade could be spared, my uncle and I armed ourselves with a couple which we had formed out of bamboo, and which might assist Roger should we have to dig deep. We took our way down the hill, and as we looked up we agreed that our fort presented a very satisfactory appearance, and that, probably, should we be discovered, the enemy would be wary before they attacked us; indeed, they would very likely suppose from its appearance that our numbers were far greater than they were in reality. As those people fight for plunder, and never for glory or mere victory, they would, we hoped, take their departure without attempting an assault. This cheered our spirits. We had arranged that should Tanda return with any important news, we were to be instantly summoned, though as the fort should we proceed into the forest, would be completely hid, from our sight, it would be necessary for some one to be sent after us. Oliver agreed to come. My uncle examined the ground as we proceeded, now telling Roger to dig a hole here, now there; but no water was found. He therefore said that it would be of no use digging more, as the hill was evidently of volcanic origin, and no water would be contained within it.
“Let us go on further, however,” he observed. “If a stream does not flow there, at all events a spring may be found.”
The ground as we advanced grew softer, and the herbage greener and greener.
“Stay,” he said; “I think some animal must be there! We will advance cautiously.”