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“I feel the same,” he said. “It is rest we need now above everything.”

We fell silent again, and remained so for a long time. A flock of large birds, parrots of some sort, passed overhead with harsh cries and disappeared in the direction of the main. I saw Nelson’s eyes roving this way and that as he studied the vegetation about us.

“These palms are new to me,” he said; “yet I feel certain that their hearts, like those of the coconut palm, will provide excellent salad.”

Presently the sun went down, and far along the beach we saw the foraging party returning. I knew how weary they must be, and felt ashamed of my own lack of strength.

“We’re a useless pair, Nelson,” I said. “Why were we not given stronger bodies?”

“Never fear,” he replied. “We’ll soon be taking our share of labour. I feel greatly refreshed already.”

The captain and Peckover had their hats partly filled with fruits of two sorts.

“Have a look at these, Mr. Nelson,” said Bligh. “By God! We’ve found little for the length of the walk. I observed that the birds eat freely of these berries. May we not do the same?”