“Don’t go—­don’t—­you needn’t,” said Captain Corbet, with a groan.  “You don’t understand.  It’s ben no pore castaway that’s come here—­ no pore driftin lad that fell upon these lone and desolate coasts.  No—­never did he set foot here.  All this is not the work o’ shipwracked people.  It’s some festive picnickers, engaged in whilin away a few pleasant summer days.  All around you may perceive the signs of luxoorious feastin.  Here you may see all the different kind o’ shellfish that the sea produces.  Yonder is a luxoorious camp.  But don’t mind what I say.  Go an call the occoopant, an satisfy yourselves.”

Captain Corbet walked with the boys over to the tent.  His words had thrown a fresh dejection over all.  They felt the truth of what he said.  These remains spoke not of shipwreck, but of pleasure, and of picnicking.  It now only remained to rouse the slumbering owner of the tent, and put the usual questions.

Bart was there first, and tapped at the post.

No answer.

He tapped again.

Still there was no answer.

He raised the canvas and looked in.  He saw the mossy interior, but perceived that it was empty.  All the others looked in.  On learning this they turned away puzzled.

“Wal, I thought so,” said Captain Corbet.  “They jest come an go as the fancy takes ’em.  They’re off on Cape d’Or to-day, an back here to-morrer.”

As he said this he seated himself near the tent, and the boys looked around with sad and sombre faces.

It was now about half past five, and the day had dawned for some time.  In the east the fog had lifted, and the sun was shining brightly.

“I told you thar’d be a change, boys,” said the captain.

As he spoke there came a long succession of sharp, shrill blasts from the fog horn of the Antelope, which started every one, and made them run to the rising ground to find out the cause.

XXII.

Astounding Discovery.—­The whole Party of Explorers overwhelmed.—­ Meeting with the Lost.—­Captain Corbet improves the Occasion.—­ Conclusion.

At the sound from the Antelope they had all started for the rising ground, to see what it might mean.  None of them had any idea what might be the cause, but all of them felt startled and excited at hearing it under such peculiar circumstances.  Nor was their excitement lessened by the sight that met their eyes as they reached the rising ground and looked towards the schooner.

A change had taken place.  When they had left, Solomon only had remained behind.  But now there were two figures on the deck.  One was amidships.  The schooner was too far away for them to see distinctly, but this one was undoubtedly Solomon; yet his gestures were so extraordinary that it was difficult to identify him.  He it was by whom the blasts on the fog horn were produced.  Standing amidships, he held