"I don't want to go in with them snakes," said the tar. "Leave me out here."
"There are no more snakes in there," said Tom. "We'll place you close to the fire, so you'll be comfortable and in no danger of either snakes or wild beasts."
With this the boys lugged the sailor into the cave. They wasted no time, for there was no telling when some others of their enemies might put in an appearance.
"Now which way?" asked Sam, when the pair were again outside. "I wonder how big this island is?"
"Big enough for us to hide on, I imagine, Sam. Let us go in the opposite direction to which we came."
They skirted the cliff and then plunged into the woods beyond. As they progressed Tom cautioned his brother to keep to the rocks as much as possible, in order that the trail might be hidden.
It was still hot, and before long the exertion of climbing the rocks and picking their way through the dense underbrush told upon them. Coming to the top of a small hill, they halted.
"Let us climb into yonder tree and rest," said Sam. "Perhaps we can see the Peacock from that point."
