In this sober
vein we made the greater part of the circuit of the
island; had a near view of its neighbour from the
southern end; walked the whole length of the westerly
side in the shadow of the thicket; and came forth again
into the moonlight at the opposite extremity.
On our right, at the distance of about half a mile, the
schooner lay faintly heaving at her anchors. About
half a mile down the beach, at a spot still hidden from
us by the thicket, an upboiling of the birds showed
where the men were still (with sailor-like
insatiability) collecting eggs. And right before us,
in a small indentation of the sand, we were aware of a
boat lying high and dry, and right side up.
Nares crouched back into the shadow of the bushes.
"What the devil's this?" he whispered.
"Trent," I suggested, with a beating heart.
"We were damned fools to come ashore unarmed," said he.
"But I've got to know where I stand." In the shadow,
his face looked conspicuously white, and his voice
betrayed a strong excitement. He took his boat's
whistle from his pocket "In case I might want to play a
tune," said he grimly, and thrusting it between his
teeth, advanced into the moonlit open, which we crossed
with rapid steps, looking guiltily about us as we went.
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