After all, though, it that when Dirk Peters returned to Tsalal Island, the population, seized by who can tell what terror, had already taken refuge upon the south-western group, and that William Guy and his companions were still hidden in gorges of Klock-Klock.

That would explain why half-breed had not come across them, and also why survivors of the _Jane_ had had nothing to fear during eleven years of their sojourn in the island.

On the other hand, since Patterson had left them there seven previously, if we did not find them, that must have because they had been obliged to leave Tsalal, the being rendered uninhabitable by the earthquake.
"So that," resumed Captain Len Guy, "on the return of Dirk Peters, there was no longer an inhabitant on the island ?" "No one," repeated Hunt, "no one.

The half-breed did not meet a single native." "And what did Dirk Peters do ?" "Understand me.

A forsaken boat lay there, at the back of the bay, containing some dried meat and several casks of water.