Max, Morton, and Browne, who had been practising climbing cocoa-nut trees, at the edge of the wood, with very indifferent success, had witnessed, from a distance, the latter part of the "engagement," as Max facetiously called it; and they now came up to learn the particulars, and to inquire "whether it was a shark, or a young whale, that I had been having such a terrible time with." While they were admiring my captive, and jocosely condoling with me on the hard usage which I had received, the voice of Johnny, (who, accompanied by Eiulo, had ventured to stroll off in the direction of the point), was heard, raised to its highest pitch, as he shouted for us to "come and see something strange." But it seemed that his impatience would not permit him to await the result of his summons, for the next moment he came running towards us in a state of great excitement, and all out of breath, crying out that he had "found a tree covered with oysters," and he had no doubt, there were "lots more of them." "A tree covered with _what_?" inquired Browne, dubiously. "With oysters--with fine, large oysters!" cried Johnny, "just come and see for yourselves." "Wonderful island! productive soil!" exclaimed Max, in mock admiration. "If oysters will take root, and grow here, I suppose pretty much any thing will: I believe I will plant my boots to-morrow: they may do for seed, and are good for nothing else any longer--don't you begin to think this must be an enchanted island, Johnny?" "O, you may make fun of it, if you please; but it's true: and if you'll come with me, I'll shew you the trees." "Well," said Browne, "I am ready for almost any thing in the way of the marvellous, since having seen a solid and substantial-looking island turn into a vapour, and vanish away before my very eyes. I shall be careful about doubting any thing, until I get back to some Christian country, where things go on regularly. For the present, I am in state of mind to believe in phoenixes and unicorns--and why not in oyster-trees? Who knows but we have happened upon a second Prospero's isle? Lead on, Johnny, and bring us to this wonderful tree." And Johnny started off accordingly, followed by Browne and Morton. In a moment the latter was heard calling out, "I say, Max! do you understand conchology?" "Yes, enough to tell a bivalve when I see one: should like to have a `dozen fried' before me now." "If a `dozen raw' will answer, just step this way, and we'll accommodate you equal to Florence."