latter part of their way having been
guided by a lantern hoisted right up to the main truck for their
benefit.

"Take that light down at once," were Oliver's first words as he climbed
the side.

"Well, yes, I was going to take it down," said Mr Rimmer, "but it did
you some good, didn't it?"

Oliver explained the reason, for there had been no alarm of savages at
the brig.

Mr Rimmer uttered a low whistle.

"So near as that, eh?" he said. "Well, we were quite ready for them;
but, my dear lads, what a narrow escape for you. There, welcome back.
I shall be rather chary of letting you all out of my sight another time.
Get down into the cabin and have a good meal and a rest; I'll join you
as soon as I can."

He left the returned party and busied himself in seeing that all lights
likely to be visible from outside were carefully extinguished and the
men posted ready in case of an attack when the enemy had recovered from
their fright; but they had evidently received too great a shock to
return that night, and at last half the men were sent below and later on
several more, but the mate stayed on deck till morning came without
there having been the slightest alarm.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

TOMMY SMITH'S TREASURE.

After a little consultation in the morning it was decided to lead out a
strong well armed party to make sure whether the enemy was down by the
lagoon, for the state of uncertainty seemed worse than the danger likely
to be incurred in an advance and careful retreat. The mate determined
to go himself, and selecting four men with Smith and Wriggs they set
off, leaving Drew in charge of the ship.

The expedition proved to be quite uneventful, and the scouting party
were back soon after noon, having been right down to the shores of the
lagoon and searched it well from the highest point they could find
without there being a sign of a canoe.

From that day forward for quite two months, the occupants of the ship
ashore enjoyed perfect peace, and no sign was seen of an enemy. It was
evident that the natural childish fear and superstition of the blacks
had kept them away from the island, but all the same no fishing or
shooting excursion was ventured upon without the feeling that the party
might return to find the savages making a fresh attack, or being in
possession of the brig. Consequently no precautions could be relaxed on
board, and not a step was taken without every one being armed to the
teeth.

Th