244 The Gardens of the Sun. [ch. xm. 



Having obtained our palm-tops, Ave purchased some 

 eggs, cucumbers, and fine ripe water-melons from the 

 woodcutters, whom we had passed in the forest in the 

 morning, and then waded across to our quarters on the 

 island, which we could now do, as it was low water. 

 It was becoming dusk, and we were glad to throw our- 

 selves down on our rugs, and rest a little before we ate 

 our frugal repast. During our absence my " boy " has 

 " tidied up " the tent, and it now looks quite cosy and 

 comfortable, being dry and sheltered, although on two 

 sides the sea washes up to within a few feet of us at high 

 water. The soft yellow mats are pleasantly enlivened 

 with our rugs and scarlet blankets, the rifle-barrels glisten 

 above our heads, and the smoke curls gracefully upwards 

 from our cooking-fires on the beach. Just as it was dark 

 we heard our men shouting ; and soon after six of them 

 came in with the borrowed prahu, and told us that their 

 companions were following them in the large boat, which 

 Mr. Boosie had kindly lent to us. This was good news ; 

 and we ate our dinner in high spirits. In about an hour's 

 time the men came in with the boat, and we hauled 

 her up high and dry on the sanely shore before retiring 

 for the night. With the boat I was cheered by letters 

 from several of my friends in Labuan, all of whom were 

 sorry to hear of our disaster. 



August 2nd. A lovely morning. We were up before 

 daybreak, and soon had our boat launched, and all our 

 goods and stores safely stowed away, ready for starting. 

 About seven o'clock we got away, with a good breeze 

 behind us, and then we took our breakfast in a little 

 deck-cabin, which our men had cleverly rigged up for 

 us with a few crooked sticks, tied firmly with rattans, 

 and covered with kajang mats, thus forming a capital 

 shelter from sun and rain. Not feeling very well, I lay 



