that the little party on the rocks could make out the
great gummed heads of the savages, and see the water glance from the
paddles of those who steered.

Freed entirely from the strain of the fish dragging at the line, Oliver
Lane now had leisure to watch the great canoe, and he at once began to
count the number of the enemy, making them to be either thirty-nine or
forty powerful-looking blacks, several of whom had ugly-looking clubs,
while others bore spears or bows and arrows.

On they came toward the opening in the great reef; and as they
approached, the canoe was steered farther out, evidently so that she
could be headed for the passage and sail through. And as Oliver Lane
watched he began to wonder what would be his next adventure--whether the
savages would be friendly, or if they would attack the small party who
were unarmed.

They were not long in doubt, for at the speed at which the canoe sailed,
she was soon in a position for heading in, and all the time the party on
the rock lay wondering that the savages made no sign. Some of them, if
they had seen the party, would certainly have gesticulated, pointed, or
made some show of being surprised, but they sailed on just at the edge
of the troubled water, made a sweep round, and then, just as Lane felt
sure that the enemy would come rushing through the opening with the
fierce tide, and float on into the calm water of the lagoon, the mate
exclaimed,--

"It was to keep from being swept in by the rush of water. They're going
right on south."

"Hooroar!" muttered Wriggs. "I sha'n't be meat to-day."

"They wouldn't ha' touched you, Billy," whispered Smith, softly. "Too
tough."

"Think they'll turn back, Mr Rimmer?" said Oliver, after a few minutes'
relief from the mental strain.

"I'm sure they will, sir," said the mate, harshly, "if you will persist
in talking."

Smith gave his mouth a pat with his open hand, and winked at Wriggs,
while the mate went on more softly,--

"You do not consider how sound is carried over the water. There! did
you hear the creaking of their bamboo mast and the crackling of the
matting sail?"

These sounds were clear enough for a few moments, but the boom of the
breakers smothered them directly, and the party lay watching the canoe
as it glided on rapidly south till it was quite evident there was no
intention of landing, the savages shaping their course so as to pass
round the great point a mile or two distant, and as if me