"Is that the _Silver Star_, Captain Bradleigh?" said Jack eagerly. "Yes, my lad. That's better than a figure-head, eh?" It was extremely beautiful just then, and looked very attractive and suggestive of rest and a good meal, beside being a guide to them along the lagoon, the men as they bent to their oars having the straight path of light to follow right up to the yacht's bows, and soon after the efforts of the cook and the cheery aspect of everything made Jack forget his weariness. "Well, gentlemen," said the captain after their late dinner, "I think that there ought to be another exploration to the east to-morrow." "Certainly," said Sir John; "I want to feel that we can go about in safety." "I suppose you'll be too tired to go, Jack?" said the doctor. "Too tired? Didn't I keep up well to-day?" said the lad quickly. "Capitally; but you look done up." "I shall be ready in the morning," said Jack shortly. "Don't attempt too much at first, Jack," said his father. "Oh no, I will not do that. But I can't be left behind." There was no need for any question about the matter, for the captain now joined in the conversation again. "I propose, Sir John," he said, "that we should have the first cutter and the gig to-morrow morning, and let the men row gently along the lagoon, close in shore. It will be a change; we can get along faster, and land as often as you wish. I could have the awning rigged up." "Yes, capital!" cried the doctor. "If you decide on that, Sir John, I should advise a start at daybreak, and a halt for breakfast when the sun begins to get hot. But, of course, we should have some coffee and biscuit before we start." The captain's plan was agreed upon, and in what seemed to be the middle of the night, Jack was awakened from a dream of watching a cup-headed mountain playing at throwing up and catching a huge red-hot ball, by a voice at his berth-side saying-- "Coffee's about ready, Mr Jack--t'other gents has begun to dress." For some moments Jack stared at him stupidly. "What time is it?" he stammered at last. "Some bells or another, sir--I dunno; but the men have got the boats out, and the things in for breakfast and lunch. They were at it before I woke." "I won't be long," said Jack, yawning, and wishing the expedition at the bottom of the sea, for he felt dreadfully sleepy, and as if he would have given anything for another hour or two's rest. It seemed absurd to be getting up in the dark when there was all the day before them, and altogether he was in that disposition of mind which people say is caused by getting out of bed the wrong way first. The doctor noticed it as the lad left his cabin to find a comfortable meal spread by the light of the cabin lamp, and the odour of coffee coming fragrantly from a steaming urn. "Here, look at him," cried the doctor. "Mind, or he'll bite." "Why, Jack, my boy," cried Sir John merrily; "don't look so fierce as that."