oon be back. Shove off."

"It is to avoid showing that he is nervous about his voyage," said
Oliver as the man obeyed, and the little boat skimmed away toward where
the lugger lay hanging on to a buoy, formed of a little keg anchored to
a huge block of coral in the deepest part, by a great noose which had
been cleverly dropped around the rock. And then as they stood leaning
upon their guns, the dinghy reached the lugger and was made fast, the
mooring rope was cast off and the men began to hoist the first sail,
when Drew suddenly uttered a cry of horror.

"What's the matter?" exclaimed Oliver.

"Look! look!" was the reply.

Oliver already saw. A great war canoe was being paddled down the lagoon
from the north, another was approaching from the south, and from out of
the haze made by the booming breakers, a third came on toward the
opening through which the mate had arranged to pass to the sea.

The two young men stood paralysed for a few moments, before Oliver
raised his gun to give a signal of alarm.

But he lowered it into the hollow of his arm, as he felt that it was
unnecessary, for the mate must see.

"Look," cried Drew. "He's coming back to take his luck with us," as
they saw that the canoes were being paddled rapidly to lay their crews
on board. For the sail hoisted had filled, and the second was being
raised while the mate at the helm was steering the lugger as if to bring
her close to where the young men stood.

"That's right, come ashore, we'll cover you," roared Oliver, and then he
uttered a groan, for the lugger curved round when close to them, and
then rushed through the water toward the opening in the reef.

Oliver's heart sank.

"Discretion's the better part of valour," he muttered, "he's going to
leave us all in the lurch."

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.

A WET RACE FOR LIFE.

These were harsh and cruel words to use respecting the man who had shown
so much true manliness of disposition; but there are times when we all
show what a great deal of the imperfect there is in our natures, and
this was one of those times with Oliver, who, judging by the mate's
acts, formed the conclusion that, seeing their case was desperate, and a
way out to save his own life, he had, in sudden panic, fled.

"Seems like it," said Drew, sadly. "But quick, lie down. No, let's get
behind here."

The need of concealment was pressing, for they were standing out upon
the open sands, and, with a feeling of despair a