Over they went, and then Dave set down his burden and took a well-earned rest. By this time night was coming on, and still they were at least half a mile from the seacoast. "We won't gain the _Swallow_ to-day," murmured the young diver, ruefully. "And perhaps we won't gain the ship at all," responded the young engineer. As is usual in the tropics, night came on suddenly. The sun went down behind the trees and the rim of the distant ocean, and soon the stars shone out clearly and beautifully. All was quiet save for the sounds of the night birds in the thicket behind them. To keep off the wild animals they built a large camp-fire, and at this cooked some of the meat they had brought along from the cave. Bob's ankle was cared for several times during the evening, and the youth declared that it now felt much better. They took turns watching during the night, yet little came to disturb them. Once Dave heard a wild animal approaching and brought up the rifle, ready to fire on the instant. But the fire made the beast keep his distance, and he finally slunk away without showing himself. Both boys were up at daybreak, and Bob declared that he would try to walk upon his foot, at least as far as the seacoast. A quarter of an hour's climb took them to the top of the hills, and here they took a good look at the beach and the ocean spread out before them. Not a sign of the _Swallow_ was to be seen anywhere. This was disheartening, and Dave's heart sank. Were they really deserted? "We can't see all of the beach from here," said Bob, encouragingly. "See, yonder patch of wood hides a good stretch from view. The _Swallow_ may be behind that. And even if she has gone off, remember that Pete Rackley was to disable her so that she would have to put back for repairs." "And so far as he was concerned, I might have starved in the meantime," added Dave, bitterly. "Yes. He must be a thorough rascal." "He is. But no worse than Lemuel Hankers, to my way of thinking, Bob." "Right you are." They had to be careful in descending the side of the hill, for here were many treacherous stones, and neither wished to risk another sprained ankle. But at last they stood at the bottom, with the ocean's shore but half a dozen rods away. The foam from the breakers could be seen distinctly through the tall palms, and with their hearts beating rapidly they hurried forward to where a long stretch of dazzling sand stood as a barrier between the woodland and the water. "No ship here," said Dave, soberly. "This is not the spot where the _Swallow_ cast anchor, Dave. The question is, was that cove north or south of here?" "North, I should say." "This time I agree with you. Come, walking along the beach will be easy enough." And so it proved, although the fierce rays of the sun soon made both more than willing to seek the shade of the overhanging palms and other tropical trees which lined the beach.