midday
If you do not find it at this precise spot I would recommend you to try a little to right and left , in line with the poles that , as you see , I have left standing . '' O'Gorman and his entire train of satellites being now upon the islet , ready to dig until they had reached the buried treasure , I thought the opportunity a good one to afford Miss Onslow a run ashore ; so , taking possession of the boat that O'Gorman had graciously intimated I might use -- the same craft that had done us such good service ere we fell in with the _ Governor Smeaton _ -- I paddled alongside the brig , and suggested to the young lady that we should devote the remainder of the day to an exploration of the island proper . To this my companion acceded with alacrity and evident delight ; so , packing a small basket with everything required for a substantial luncheon , I stepped the boat 's mast , set her canvas , and we got under way , working out through the loch into the big lagoon formed by the barrier reef , and then coasting alongshore until we reached a promising-looking landing-place . Here we ran the boat up on the beach , secured her , and , stepping ashore , decided to lunch before proceeding farther , since it was by this time drawing well on toward midday . Then , having made a hearty meal , we plunged into the jungle , with the idea of reaching the summit of the hill if we could hit upon a practicable path . Viewed from the sea , the island had the appearance of being as completely and thickly overgrown with jungle as had been the islet where O'Gorman and his gang were hunting for treasure , but upon entering the forest we found that it was not so , and that , by keeping our eyes about us , we might manage with very little difficulty to work our way through the comparatively open spaces that occurred at frequent intervals . And we had not proceeded very far when we were fortunate enough to fall athwart a tiny stream , with just the merest trickle of water in it now , but which was evidently , in the rainy season , a roaring , raging torrent .