no time to get up sail, so
they grabbed for the oars. She stuck on the sand just a minute; and, in
that minute, down from the palace comes King Rosy, running the way he
run from his first wife over at Hello. He leaped over the stern, picked
up the other oar, and off they put across the lagoon. The rudder was in
its place and so was the tiller, but they couldn't use 'em then.

"They had a good start, but afore they'd got very far the natives had
waked up and were after 'em in canoes.

"''Ere!' screams Cap'n George. 'This won't do! They'll catch us sure.
Get sail on to 'er lively! Somebody take that tiller.'

"Rosy, being nearest, took the tiller and the others got up the sail.
Then 'twas nip and tuck with the canoes for the opening of the barrier
reef at the other side of the lagoon. But they made it first, and, just
as they did, out from behind the cliff comes the big steam-yacht, all
white and shining, with sailors in uniform on her decks, and awnings
flapping, and four mighty pretty women leaning over the side. All of the
Emily gang set up a whoop of joy, and 'twas answered from the yacht.

"'Saved!' hollers Cap'n George. 'Saved, by thunder! And now,' says he,
knocking his fists together, 'NOW to get square with that four-eyed
thief in the stern! Come on, boys!'

"Him and Julius and Teunis made a flying leap aft to get at Rosy. But
Rosy see 'em coming, jammed the tiller over, the boom swung across and
swept the three overboard pretty as you please.

"There was a scream from the yacht. Rosy give one glance at the women.
Then he tossed his arms over his head.

"'Courage, comrades!' he shouts. 'I'll save you or die with you!'

"And overboard he dives, 'kersplash!'

"Julius said him and the skipper could have swum all right if Rosy had
give 'em the chance, but he didn't. He knew a trick worth two of that.
He grabbed 'em round the necks and kept hauling 'em under and splashing
and kicking like a water-mill. All hands was pretty well used up when
they was pulled aboard the yacht.

"'Oh, you brave man!' says one of the women, stooping over Rosy, who was
sprawled on the deck with his eyes shut, 'Oh, you HERO!'

"'Are they living?' asks Rosy, faint-like and opening one eye. 'Good!
Now I can die content.'

"'Living!' yells George, soon's he could get the salt water out of his
mouth. 'Living! By the 'oly Peter! Let me at 'im! I'll show 'im whether
I'm living or not!'

"'What ails you, you villain?' says the felle