Bry was first to arouse, and found the sun shining overhead. There was no wind and the temperature of the morning air was warm and genial. The black’s legs pained him, for in his terrible climb up the rock during the storm a jagged piece of rock had cut his thigh and torn the flesh badly. He had not noticed it until now, but after examining the wound he bathed it in the water of the pool and bound it up with a rag torn from his shirt. While he was thus occupied Nux sat up and watched him, yawning. They spoke together in low tones, using the expressive Sulu language, and had soon acquainted each other with the events that had occurred since they separated. Their murmured words aroused me to a realization of the present, and having partially collected my thoughts I began to rub my eyes and look wonderingly around me. The top of the rock was no longer flat, but inclined toward the sea. The three tall trees also inclined that way, instead of growing upright, and the neighboring cliff of the mainland seemed further removed from us than before. Something appeared to be missing in the landscape, and then I suddenly remembered how the rocking-stone had leaped into the gulf during the storm. “All safe?” I asked, looking at my black friends gratefully. “All safe,” answered Bry, smiling. “It was a dreadful night,” I continued, with a shudder. “Have you heard anything from the robbers yet?” “No, Mars Sam.” “They’re probably sleeping late. Anyhow, they can’t have gone away on the raft yet.” Bry shook his head. “All very wicked mans, Mars Sam,” he said. “Even in big storm, while we climb up to cave, Mars Daggett tell me to go behind Pete an’ push him off rock.” “The villain!” I exclaimed, indignantly. “He tell me if I not push Pete off, he kill me,” continued Bry, with a grin. “What did you do?” “When they run into cave, I run by it, an’ come here. That’s all, Mars Sam.” “You did well, Bry. If they climb up here after you, we’ll fight them to the death.” “No climb rock any more, Mars Sam,” said Bry, soberly. “Why not?” “See how rock tip? Only fly can climb rock now.” “I believe you’re right, Bry!” I cried, startled at this dreadful assertion; “and, if so, we’re prisoners here. Let us see what it looks like.” I crawled rather stiffly down the inclined surface to the edge overlooking the sea, and one glance showed me that it would now be impossible for anyone to walk along the narrow ledge. While I looked a sharp cry of horror from Nux reached my ears, and swiftly turning I hastened with Bry toward the place where the black was leaning over the gulf that separated the peak from the mainland. “What is it, Nux?” I asked, anxiously. But the Sulu only stood motionless, pointing with one finger into the abyss, while his eyes stared downward with an expression of abject fear. We both followed his gaze, and one glance was sufficient to fully acquaint us with the awful catastrophe the vengeance of the storm had wrought.