years' cruise. Her engines had broken down
a few days before, during a storm, and she was carried out of her
course. The machinery being repaired, she was now picking her way toward
Manila. The sailors were sent back to the warship, with information for
the commander, and Carruthers accompanied the joyous couple to the
village. The natives had seen the ship and the white men, and there was
intense excitement among them.

Then came the struggle for Hugh and Tennys Huntingford. For an hour they
wavered and then the die was cast. Back to the old world!

When it became known that the Izors who had done so much for them were
to leave the island on the big, strange thing of the deep, the greatest
consternation and grief ensued. Chattering disconsolately, the whole
village accompanied the belongings of the Izors to the beach. Lady
Tennys and Ridgeway went among their savage friends with the promise to
return some day, a promise which they meant to fulfil.

"I'll have missionaries out here in a month," vowed Hugh, biting his
lips and trying to speak calmly through the grip that was choking him
involuntarily.

King Pootoo, the picture of despair, stood knee-deep in the water. As
the sailors pushed off, he threw up his hands and wailed aloud; and then
the whole tribe behind him fell grovelling in the sand. Two white-robed
figures flung themselves in the water and grasped the gunwales as the
boat moved away. The sailors tried to drive them off, but they screamed
and turned their pleading faces toward their mistress.

"Please take them in," she cried, and strong arms drew the dusky women
into the boat. They were Alzam and Nattoo, the devoted handmaidens of
the beautiful Izor. Trembling and in fear of dire punishment for their
audacity, they sank to the bottom of the boat. Nor did they cease their
moaning until they were on the broad deck of the _Winnetka_, where
astonishment overcame fear.

Slowly the boat moved away from the island of Nedra, just one year after
its new passengers had set foot on its shores. High upon the top of the
tall gatepost fluttered the frayed remnants of an American flag. The
captain pointed toward it, removed his cap proudly, and then there arose
a mighty cheer from the men on board the man o' war.

CHAPTER XXXIII

_APPARITIONS_

The _Winnetka_ passed Corregidor Island and dropped anchor in Manila
harbor on the morning of June 1st. On the forward deck stood Hugh
Ridgeway and Tennys Huntingf