Rushing of wings overhead," replied Oliver.

"Yes, the birds know, and are getting out of the way. Hark at those
tiger things, too, how uneasy they are! I'd give all I've got,
gentlemen, if Mr Drew and those two fellows were safe back on deck, for
we shall have a storm to-night."

"But we are not at sea," said Oliver.

"More we are!" replied the mate. "'Pon my word, I was going on just as
if I expected we were going to fight the waves. But I wish we were.
I'd rather have solid water under me than boiling rock."

"Quick! look out," cried Oliver excitedly as there was a rushing
trampling sound in the distance, evidently coming nearer. "It's the
savages we shall have to fight, and they're coming on again."

They listened in the midst of an appalling stillness, while the whole
deck seemed to be quivering, and the vessel gave two or three ominous
cracks. There was another flash, then a boom, and a momentary blinding
glare of light, while the coming trampling for a moment ceased, but only
to be resumed again, as every man grasped his weapon, and felt for his
supply of ammunition, feeling that in another minute he might be face to
face with death.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

THE CAT DID IT.

The quivering continued, and the earth beneath the vessel throbbed in
slow pulsations. The vivid flashes and thunderous growls as of distant
explosions went on, and the rushing sound of many feet came nearer and
nearer as the occupants of the brig strained their eyes to pierce the
transparent darkness to get a glance of their enemies, and then all
stood wondering; for after rising to a certain pitch, the rushing sound
began to die away gradually. Then followed a vivid flash and a heavy
boom as of some huge gun, and as it died away they were conscious of a
stillness that was terrible in its oppression, the quivering beneath
their feet ceased, and then startling and clear, from right away to the
westward, came the piercing note of the boatswain's pipe.

"Drew!" cried Oliver, joyously.

"Yes, that's he," said the mate, "and he wants help. There, take charge
of the deck, Mr Panton. I must go and bring him. Volunteers here: six
men."

Twelve sprang to his side, and he selected half a dozen, all well armed
and ready to face anything.

As they moved to the gangway where others held the ladder ready for them
to descend, the shrill note of the whistle was heard again.

"Draw up the ladder as soon as we're down, my lads,"