"It is certainly a lazy man's paradise," re-turned Sam. "A fellow
need do next to nothing to feed and clothe himself here, and a house
isn't absolutely necessary excepting when it storms real hard."
On this island they found numerous land crabs, some as large as their
two hands, and many fierce-looking spiders, with long, hairy legs
and bulging eyes. Ants were also numerous, and in one spot they
located fifteen anthills, each as large as a big beehive. Insects
of all sorts were numerous, and they had to continually slap at a
specimen of red fly that annoyed them greatly.
"How those ants would like to get at our provisions," said Tom. "We
can be thankful that we didn't locate here. Once they got at the
stuff, they would eat us out of house and home."
After resting, and partaking of some of the food brought along, they
continued their journey across the island.
The way was up one of the hills, and Tom was slightly in advance,
when a noise ahead attracted his attention.
"Something is there," he called out, as he came to a halt.
"What is it?" asked Sam.
"I don't know. Perhaps some wild animal, or else a snake."
"Go slow there," cautioned Captain Blossom, coming up. "We don't want
to run into unnecessary danger."
"What did it sound like, Tom?"
"I can't describe it. Something like a snarl, I guess."
"Perhaps it was only a monkey."
All stopped to listen, but no, sound reached their ears but the hum
of insects and the chirping of some distant birds.
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