We lit a blazing fire, and caught some wild-fowl, and knocked down some cocoa-nuts, which were now in season, and picked some bread-fruit, and, with the provisions we had in the boat, enjoyed a capital meal, which somewhat restored our spirits after the loss of our whale.  As far as we could discover, no one had been there since we left the spot,--even our beds were ready for us.  All hands rested soundly, and by the next morning the short-lived summer gale had blown itself out.  I mounted to the top of our flag-staff, and to my no small satisfaction saw our ship lying-to five or six miles off to the westward.  I was hurrying with the rest down to the boat, for I had no wish to be left again on the spot though I felt an affection for it, when Cousin Silas stopped me.  "We have an important work to perform," said he.  "Before we go we will obliterate our former directions and write fresh ones, saying where we are now going."  I saw the wisdom of this precaution in case the _Triton_ might visit the place; and, accordingly, with our knives we carved in a few brief words a notice that we were well and bound for the Bonins.  This done, we embarked and ran out towards the ship.