which covered the islet. There was then scarcely any doubt that, if the castaway was dead, no trace of his body remained, some wild beast had probably devoured it to the last bone.
"We will set off to-morrow at daybreak,' said Pencroft to his two companions, as about two o'clock they were resting for a few miuutes under the shade of some firs.
"I should think that we might without scruple take the utensils which belonged to the castaway," added Herbert.
"I think so too," returned Gideon Spilett; "and these arms and tools will improve our stores of Granite House. The supply of powder and shot is also most important."
"Yes," replied Pencroft; "but we must not forget to capture a couple or two of those pigs, of which Lincoln Island is destitute———"
"Nor to gather those seeds," added Herbert, "which will give us all the vegetables of the Old World."
"Then perhaps it would be best," said the reporter, "to remain a day longer on Tabor Island, so as to collect all that may be useful to us."
"No, Mr. Spilett," answered Pencroft, "I will ask you to set off to-morrow at daybreak. The wind seems to me to be likely to shift to the west, and after having had a fair wind for coming we shall have a fair wind for going back."
"Then do not let us lose time," said Herbert, rising.
"We won't waste time," returned Pencroft. "You, Herbert, go and gather the seeds, which you know better than we do. Whilst you do that, Mr. Spilett and I will go and have a pig hunt, and even without Top I hope we shall manage to catch a few!" Herbert accordingly took the path which led towards the cultivated part of the islet, while the sailor and the reporter entered the forest.
Many specimens of the porcine race fled before them, but these animals, which were singularly active, did not appear to be in a humor to allow themselves to be approached. However, after an hour's chase, the hunters managed to get hold of a couple lying in a thicket.
Just then loud cries were heard resounding from the north part of the island. With the cries were mingled terrible yells, in which there was nothing human.
Pencroft and Gideon Spilett were at once on their feet,
