"Once is enough of such a thing as that.

However, hand me the bottle.

I shall feel better after that." Ralph looked about and presently discovered an open space, free from fallen leaves or any other shelter for a lurking snake, and persuaded Jacques to sit down and eat his biscuit and bananas in comfort.

The sailor did so, but the manner in which his glances kept wandering round him in search of snakes showed that he had not yet recovered his equanimity.

When they had finished their meal Ralph proposed that they should climb up to the highest point of ground they could find, and take a view over the island.