Standing there, with the rain trickling down his neck and his clothing sticking to him uncomfortably, bewildered, and more than a little tired, Dave began to wonder for the first time whether treasure-hunting such as this was worth the trouble. The chance of success was extremely vague, anyway; and the difficulties immediately in front of them were sufficient to damp the ardor of any one. He almost felt at that moment that he could barter his share of the problematical treasure for a square meal and a sleep round the clock, in his own comfortable bed in far-away Brooklyn. He was fast becoming despondent when Bruce Tempest came to the rescue with his wonderful fund of cheerfulness. “You’re very quiet, sonny,” he said. “I can’t see you, but you don’t sound as though you were enjoying this.” “It’s exciting, anyway,” said Dave. “I’ll wager you never got anything at the movies that thrilled you as much,” Tempest declared. “Everything is real, this trip, including the rain. You will remember it as long as you live. ’Pon my word, I believe it’s getting a shade lighter! Don’t you think so, Jim?” “See to go ahead bimeby p’raps,” the Kanaka responded. “Rain stop pretty soon.” As a weather-prophet, Jim was a wonder. Sure enough, the rain did ease off about half an hour later, and a pale light showed from a hazy moon. Tempest, however, could not make out much of their position, as they were hemmed in with trees. “Goodness only knows how we got here,” he said. “Jim, do you think you could nose around a bit and try to spot where that blessed hill is?” Without a word the Kanaka disappeared, nor did he return for some time. Dave was beginning to wonder whether the man had got lost, and was on the point of suggesting that they should give a call to him, when Jim reappeared as silently as he had gone. The moon was growing more distinct every moment now. “Um hill over there,” said Jim, pointing. “Come round this way.” Leaving him to take the rôle of guide, Dave and Tempest followed, and after a while emerged from the trees. A few hundred yards away the hill towered, but the ascent was difficult enough, even though they could now see where they were putting their feet. “Why, we must have wandered half-way round the island,” said Tempest. “Jim, where is the lagoon?” “’Way across there, I think,” the Kanaka replied, pointing. “Well, all I can say is that it’s a mercy we didn’t blunder down to the beach where old Flagg is,” Tempest commented. “We went round in a half-circle.”