They returned to the shore about noon, and sitting down on the bluff, ate heartily of the stores they had brought with them from the ship. They had brought no water, but, fortunately, discovered a spring on their homeward walk, which promised a constant supply of refreshing drink. “This seems a great deal like a picnic,” said Harry, as they sat down on the grass with the food in the center. “I am afraid it will prove a larger picnic than we care for,” remarked the professor. When dinner was over, if their informal meal can be dignified by that name, Mr. Holdfast said: “I think we had better make another trip to the ship, and bring back what we can. We shall need a further supply of provisions, and there will be other things that will occur to us as likely to be needed.” “May I go with you, Mr. Holdfast?” asked Harry. “Yes,” answered the mate; “I will take you and Jack, and Mr. Stubbs, too, may come, if he will.” “I am quite at your command, captain,” said the Yankee. Nothing suited Harry better than to make one of the expeditions. He and Jack clambered up the ship’s sides, and chased each other in boyish fun. Jack had no fear of a stern rebuke from Mr. Holdfast, who had a sympathy with the young. He would not have dared to take such liberties with Captain Hill. “How long do you think the ship will hold together, Mr. Holdfast?” asked Stubbs. “For a week, perhaps, unless the sea becomes rough, and dashes her against the reef with violence.” “At present she seems motionless.” “Yes, she is not at present receiving any damage. It will be a sad day when she goes to pieces,” continued the mate, gravely. “Yes, but it will hardly make our position worse. There is no chance of our making any use of her, I take it.” “You don’t quite understand me,” said Holdfast. “A sailor gets to feel an attachment for the craft he sails on, and she seems to him something like a living creature. This is my first voyage on the old Nantucket, but it will grieve me to see her disappear.” It was not easy to decide of what the boat’s load should consist. In the main, provisions were taken as an article of first necessity. Some clothing, also, was selected, and among the rest, at Harry’s instance, an extra pair of Mr. Clinton’s trousers. It was decided not to make another trip to the ship that day. Mr. Holdfast expressed the opinion that the Nantucket was not in any immediate danger of going to pieces, and there was much other work in hand. “Do you know anything about the climate here, Mr. Holdfast?” asked the professor. “I don’t think it is ever cold. It is too far south for that.” “I mean as to the chance of rain. I am told that in these tropical places, rain comes on very suddenly at times.” “I suspect that this is the dry season, professor.” “Still, it may be wise to provide ourselves with some shelter.” “True; have you anything to suggest?”