CHAPTER VIII.
THE CUSTOMS OF BOUPARI.
Human nature cannot always keep on the full stretch of excitement.

It was wonderful to both Felix and Muriel how soon they settled down into a quiet routine of life on the island of Boupari.

A week passed away--two weeks--three weeks--and the chances of release seemed to grow slenderer and slenderer.

All they could do now was to wait for the stray accident of a passing ship, and then try, if possible, to signal it, or to put out to it in a canoe, if the natives would allow them.
Meanwhile, their lives for the moment seemed fairly safe.

Though for the first few days they lived in constant alarm, this feeling, after a time, gave way to one of comparative security.