So comfortable was his bed, and so secure his shelter, that he slept longer than usual.  It was late when he awaked.  He hurried forth and looked around.  The fog still rested over everything.  If possible it was thicker and more dismal than even on the preceding day.  To his surprise, he soon noticed that it had been raining quite heavily through the night.  Around, in many places, he saw pools of water, and in the hollows of the rocks he saw the same.  This could only have been done by the rain.  Going back to his camp, he saw that the canvas was quite wet.  And yet the rain had all rolled off.  Not a drop had entered.  The moss and the fern inside were perfectly dry, and he had not the slightest feeling of dampness about him.  His camp was a complete success.

He now went off to search for clams.  The tide had been high at about six in the morning.  It was now, as he judged, about ten or eleven, and the water was quite low.  Selecting a piece of shingle from his wood-pile, he walked down over the mud flat that extended from the point, and, after going a little distance, he noticed the holes that give indications of the presence of clams beneath.  Turning up the sand, he soon threw out some of them.  He now dug in several different places, and obtained sufficient for the day.  These he carried back to the bank in triumph.  Then he stirred up his fire, heaped on plenty of wood, and arranged his clams in front so as to roast them.

In spite of Mrs. Pratt’s theories, the clams were found by Tom to be delicious, and gave such relish to the biscuit, that he began to think whether he could not make use of the baling dipper, and make a clam chowder.

This breakfast was a great success, and Tom now confidently expected to find other shell-fish, by means of which his resources might be enlarged and improved.

XVII.

Solomon’s solemn Tale.—­A costly Lobster.—­Off again.—­Steam Whistles of all Sizes.—­A noisy Harbor.—­Arrival Home.—­No News.

The shout of joy uttered by those on the top of the cliff at seeing old Solomon safe was responded to by those in the boat; and then, as the latter went on her way, Captain Corbet set out to return to the beach, followed by Phil and Pat.  Soon they were all reunited, and, the boat being landed, they returned in triumph to the Antelope.

On their way back, Solomon told them the story of his adventures.

“Went out,” said he, “on a splorin scursion, cos I was termined to try an skewer somethin to make a dinnah to keep up de sperrit ob dis yah party.  Ben trouble nuff, an dat’s no reason why we should all starb.  I tought by de looks ob tings dar was lobstas somewhar long dis yah sho, an if I got a chance, I knowed I could get ’em.  Dar was lots ob time too, ef it hadn’t ben fur dat ar pint; dat’s what knocked me.  Lots o’ lobstas—­could hab picked up a barl full, ony hadn’t any barl to pick up.”