I felt the bottom, and was in shallow water. However, I hurried to the land, then turned round to have a look at my pursuer, but to my surprise he was swimming in another direction.
The boat was now coming up, so I knelt down to wash my face, for my nose bled profusely.
The others having landed, Louva, who was very kind and attentive, suggested that we return home. However, I would not agree to this. Of course I was wet, but that was nothing new to me. She mentioned the name of the monster that had disturbed me so much, and said that it was perfectly harmless, and subsisted upon roots and marine plants.
We now secured the boat, and threw in our lines from the shore, choosing places where we thought fish would probably be most plentiful, then made them fast, and ascended to the high ground, where we obtained a magnificent view of the surrounding sea. Louva and the other young lady in the meantime selected a picturesque spot under a broad-leaved tree for our luncheon. We sat down, and I believe all enjoyed the repast. Meanwhile, however, I kept well in the sun, and noticed with satisfaction that my clothes were drying. After our picnic was over, we rambled over the island, the ladies picking
