Henry and Helen-- these were the names of the young people--were even cheerful, inclined to wander about and wonder at the strange objects around: the beautiful beach of silvery sand; the deep blue sea; the white breakers beyond, rising over it like along snow-wreath; the clear fresh-water stream alongside, in which they could see curious fish disporting themselves; the grand forest-trees, among them stately palms and tall lance-like bamboos;--in short, a thousand things that make tropical scenery so charming.
Notwithstanding the scenic beauty, there was something needed before it could be thoroughly enjoyed, and this was breakfast.

The contents of the great oyster had given full satisfaction for the time; but that was nearly twenty-four hours ago, and the appetites of all were once more keenly whetted.

What was to take the edge off them?
This was the question that occupied their thoughts, and the answer was not so easy.
Saloo went in search of another Singapore oyster; Murtagh started along the bank of the stream, in the hope of beguiling some of the red and gold fish he saw playing "backgammon" in it, as he had seen the trout and salmon in his native Killarney; while the captain, having procured a rifle, that had been brought away in the boat, and which he well knew how to handle, wandered off into the woods.
Henry and Helen remained under the tree, as their father did not think there could be any danger in leaving them alone.

He was well enough acquainted with the natural history of Borneo to know that there were neither lions nor tigers in the island.

Had it been on the neighbouring island of Sumatra, or some desert coast of the mainland--in Malacca, Cochin-China, or Hindustan--he might have dreaded exposing them to the attack of tigers.