Leaving a light burning at the camp, for there was no moon and the stars were almost obscured by clouds, they set out in the darkness, Dave feeling distinctly uneasy. He racked his brain to think of some plausible explanation of Tempest’s failure to return. Until after midnight the two searched and called in vain. Then, with a heavy heart, the boy returned to the camp, to toss about uneasily, fully dressed, until dawn. Tempest had disappeared, and Dave was alone now, but for the half-savage Kanaka. The boy, however, did not think of his own position. It was the thought of his friend which kept him awake. CHAPTER XV LAUNCHING THE MUD TURTLE There was still no sign of the missing man at the camp when the sun rose, and a fear that had haunted Dave began to become very real. He was now firmly convinced that his friend had gone for a swim and been drowned. In a very dismal mood he walked down to the bay where they usually took their dip, and searched, fearing to find what he was searching for. “Jim,” he said at last, “we’ll put up some lunch and spend the rest of the day going over every foot of this island. There’s always a chance.” Systematically they explored the southern and western extremities of the place, and the sun was already slanting westward when they came to the rugged territory in the north. Dave had very little hope left, when suddenly Jim gave a cry of delight which brought the boy to his side at a run. On one of the few patches of ground which did not consist of hard rock two or three footmarks were distinctly visible. “We get him yet,” declared the Kanaka, now moving quickly from place to place like a hound eagerly picking up scent. A score of yards farther on he stooped over a broken twig and silently pointed to it. Under it was the faint imprint of a shoe heel. Gradually they progressed almost to the northern shore, guided by one indistinct mark after another and shouting as loudly as possible every few minutes. At length the Kanaka put his hand on Dave’s shoulder suddenly, his head bent in a listening attitude. A faint cry reached the boy’s ears. “Thank goodness!” he said solemnly. Five minutes later he was by Tempest’s side. “Hello, old top,” said the latter, in a weak voice. “You don’t happen to have a plate of ham and eggs about you, and a quart or so of coffee, do you? I’m ravenous. I couldn’t find a restaurant open anywhere round here.” “Stop fooling!” said Dave. “Where are you hurt?” “I guess I ought to be nearly all right by now,” Tempest said with a grin. “I’ve been doing nothing particular but nurse it for about thirty hours. I twisted my ankle a bit yesterday, and I must have bumped my head in falling, because I don’t remember much about it.” “Well, cheer up,” said Dave. “We’ll soon get you home now.”