The fowls were enticed by handfuls of grain and rice, and my wife caught as many as she wished for.
We were by this time very ready for dinner, and the cold provisions we had with us were set forth, the chief dish consisting of the piece of whale's tongue, which, by the boys' desire, had been cooked with a special view to this entertainment.
But woful was the disappointment when the tongue was tasted. One after another, with dismal face, pronounced it “horrid stuff,” begged for some pickled herring to take away the taste of train-oil, and willingly bestowed on Fangs the cherished dainty.
Fortunately there was a sufficient supply of other eatables, and the fresh delicious cocoa-nuts and goat's milk put every one in good humour again.
While the mother packed everything up, Fritz and I got some sugar-cane shoots which I wished to plant, and then we returned to the shore and again embarked.
Before returning to Whale Island, I felt a strong wish to round Cape Disappointment and survey the coast immediately beyond, but the promontory maintained the character of its name, and we found that a long sandbank, as well as hidden reefs and rocks, ran out a great way into the sea.
Fritz espying breakers ahead, we put about at once, and aided by a light breeze, directed our course towards Whale Island.
On landing, I began at once to plant the saplings we had brought. The boys assisted me for awhile, but wearied somewhat of the occupation, and one after another went off in search of shells and coral, leaving their mother and me to finish the work.
Presently Jack came back, shouting loudly,
“Father! Mother! do come and look. There is an enormous skeleton lying here; the skeleton of some fearful great beast—a mammoth, I should think.”
“Why Jack!” returned I laughing, “have you forgot our old acquaintance, the whale? What else could it be?”
